Pomegranate fruit is prone to moisture loss irrespective of its thick rind and tough leathery outer skin, resulting in compromised visual appearance and financial loss. The aim of this study was to identify and characterise structural changes in lenticels, micro-cracks, wax patterns and peel tissue fractions to aid the understanding of water loss trends in pomegranate fruit during storage. Fruit were stored at 7 °C and 90 % RH for 42 d and thereafter transferred to shelf conditions (23 °C and 58 % RH) for 8 d. Peel samples were obtained from the calyx-end, equatorial-region and stem-end of randomly selected fruit. Lenticels, micro-cracks, thickness of waxy cuticle and wax layer patterns were examined under scanning microscopes. The trends of water loss with respect to peel tissues and location on fruit were examined by monitoring changes in tissue thickness. Increased fragmentation of waxy cuticle and widening of micro-cracks were observed during fruit storage. Higher count of lenticels, larger lenticel size and generally low peel thickness were observed at the calyx-end and equatorial-region as compared to the stem-end of the fruit. A noticeable water loss trend was detectable with respect to region on the fruit, the calyx-end being more susceptible compared to the equatorial-region and stem-end.

石榴果皮外皮厚实且皮革坚韧，容易造成水分流失，导致外观受损和经济损失。这项研究的目的是确定并表征皮孔，微裂纹，蜡状和果皮组织部分的结构变化，以帮助了解石榴果实在贮藏期间的水分流失趋势。将水果在7°C和90％RH下存储42 d，然后转移到货架条件（23°C和58％RH）下8 d。从随机选择的果实的花萼末端，赤道区域和茎末端获得果皮样品。在扫描显微镜下检查皮孔，微裂纹，蜡状角质层的厚度和蜡层图案。通过监测组织厚度的变化，检查了水分流失相对于果皮组织和果实位置的趋势。贮藏期间观察到蜡状表皮的碎裂增加，微裂纹扩大。与果实的茎端相比，在花萼末端和赤道区域观察到较高的皮孔数量，较大的皮孔尺寸和通常较低的果皮厚度。相对于果实上的区域，可以检测到明显的水分流失趋势，与赤道区域和茎干相比，花萼末端更容易受到影响。与果实的茎端相比，在花萼末端和赤道区域观察到更大的皮孔尺寸和通常较低的果皮厚度。相对于果实上的区域，可以检测到明显的水分流失趋势，与赤道区域和茎干相比，花萼末端更容易受到影响。与果实的茎端相比，在花萼末端和赤道区域观察到更大的皮孔尺寸和通常较低的果皮厚度。相对于果实上的区域，可以检测到明显的水分流失趋势，与赤道区域和茎干相比，花萼末端更容易受到影响。