Pyrena

Last updated
Diagram of a typical drupe, in this case a peach, illustrating the layers of both the fruit and the seed; the pyrene is the hardened endocarp which encloses the seed Drupe fruit diagram.svg
Diagram of a typical drupe, in this case a peach, illustrating the layers of both the fruit and the seed; the pyrene is the hardened endocarp which encloses the seed

A pyrena ( /paɪˈriːnə/ ) or pyrene, commonly called a pit or stone, is the fruitstone inside certain types of fruit, namely drupes or drupelets, and consists of a hardened shell-like layer surrounding one or more seeds (also called the "kernel"). [1] [2] It is produced by the ossification of the inner lining tissue of the fruit, called the endocarp. [3] The hardened endocarp which constitutes the pyrene provides a protective physical barrier around the seed, shielding it from pathogens and herbivory. [4]

Contents

While many drupes are monopyrenous, containing only one pyrene, pome-type fruit with a hard, stony (rather than leathery) endocarp are typically polypyrenous drupes, containing multiple pyrenes. [5]

Development

The hardening of the endocarp of a developing drupe occurs via secondary cell wall formation and lignification. [4] The biopolymer lignin, also found in wood, provides a structure within secondary cell walls which supports the polymerisation of cellulose and hemicellulose; together these polymers provide the endocarp with tensile strength and stiffness. [4] Further hardening occurs during the biomineralisation of the endocarp. The biomineralisation of pyrenes during the life of the plant can aid the preservation of fruit remains in archaeological findings. [6] [7]

Boat Carved from an Olive Stone, at the National Palace Museum. Taiwan Diao Gan Lan He Zhou .png
Boat Carved from an Olive Stone , at the National Palace Museum. Taiwan

Uses and culture

Pyrenes have been employed worldwide in many cultures for many uses. The stones of some fruits, such as peaches, are sometimes used to infuse flavours into foods and drinks, including peach pit jelly, vinegar, and alcoholic beverages like ratafia. [8] In China, fruitstones are used in a traditional folk handicraft, namely fruit pit carving (核雕), to make jewellery and sculptures. [9] Shaivite and Buddhist practitioners use the stones of the fruit of Elaeocarpus ganitrus , called rudraksha , as prayer beads for akshamala . [10] [11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Beentje & Williamson (2010).
  2. ↑ Hickey & King (2001).
  3. ↑ Eckel (2011).
  4. 1 2 3 Dardick & Callahan (2014).
  5. ↑ Potter et al. (2007).
  6. ↑ Allué et al. (2015).
  7. ↑ Messager et al. (2010).
  8. ↑ Bush (1971).
  9. ↑ Wang (1999), p. 140.
  10. ↑ Jones & Ryan (2006), p. 22.
  11. ↑ Beer (1999), pp. 216–217.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.