Fig. 3

SEM images of transverse sections of fresh and solvent-treated isolated S. lycopersicum cuticular membranes. The figure represents the physical structure of the transverse section of solvent untreated and treated CM visualized under scanning electron microscopy, with respective average thickness and standard deviation measured. A Untreated isolated fruit CM showing thick CM layer with average thickness around ~ 8.6 µm. B Dewaxed tomato CM treated with chloroform with average thickness of ~ 6.21 µm and epidermal cell pockets. C Acetonitrile treated CM with average thickness around ~ 8.2 µm. D CM treated with Acetone showing average thickness of ~ 6.79 µm. E Ethanol treated CM with average thickness of ~ 7.7 µm. F CM treated with 2- propanol showing average thickness of ~ 6.21 µm. Scale bar 20 μm.