Slow softening of Kanzi apples (Malus×domestica L.) is associated with preservation of pectin integrity in middle lamella

•Kanzi apples ripen without any significant pectin changes.•Fracture tissue of ripe Kanzi apples show rupture cells.•Softening of Kanzi at senescence associated with increased tissue deformation.•Rapid softening of Golden Delicious apples is linked to pectin depolymerisation. Kanzi is a recently developed apple cultivar that has an extremely low ethylene production, and maintains its crispiness during ripening. To identify key determinants of the slow softening behaviour of Kanzi apples, a comparative analysis of pectin biochemistry and tissue fracture pattern during different ripening stages of Kanzi apples was performed against Golden Delicious, a rapid softening cultivar. While substantial pectin depolymerisation and solubilisation was observed during softening in Golden Delicious apples, no depolymerisation or increased solubilisation was observed in Kanzi apples. Moreover, tissue failure during ripening was mainly by cell breakage in Kanzi apples and, in contrast, by cell separation in Golden Delicious apples. Kanzi apples had lower activity of beta-galactosidase, with no decline in the extent of branching of the pectin chain. A sudden decrease in firmness observed during senescence in Kanzi apples was not due to middle lamella dissolution, as tissue failure still occurred by cell breakage.