4. Molecular Characterization of Tomato Fruit Cutin by Cross-polarization Magic-angle Spinning Solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (CPMAS ssNMR)6
Place 4-6 mg of fully dewaxed tomato cuticles (cutins) in a 1.6 mm fastMAS zirconia rotor using the vendor-supplied packing tool. (Either ground dewaxed tomato cuticles or very small pieces of partially dewaxed cuticles are suitable.) Ensure that the sample is packed uniformly, but not too tightly, in the rotor. After putting on the top cap, paint half of the cap with a black-ink marker pen to facilitate measurements of the spin rate.
Adjust the shimming of the NMR spectrometer for minimum spectral line width at half-height and calibrate the proton (1H) and carbon (13C) 90 ° pulse widths using a standard compound such as adamantane.
Using glycine or glutamine as model compounds, obtain maximum signal intensity by optimizing all parameters (Hartmann-Hahn matching power levels, 1H - 13C contact time, heteronuclear 1H decoupling strength) of the cross-polarization magic-angle spinning (CPMAS) experiment. For spectra acquired at a 1H frequency of 600 MHz, recommended conditions include 10 kHz or 15 kHz spinning frequency, a 3-sec delay between acquisitions, and SPINAL heteronuclear proton decoupling7 at a magnetic field strength equivalent to a frequency of 185 kHz.
Insert the cutin-packed rotor into the probe. Then, place the probe into the magnet. Increase the spinning speed up to 10 kHz gradually to check for good sample packing and rotor stability. Verify the final spinning stability of the rotor to within ±20 Hz.
Adjust the tuning and matching capacitors of the probe iteratively to achieve minimum power reflection at both 1H and 13C NMR frequencies. Set the experimental temperature to 25 °C (or room temperature).
Start the pre-optimized CPMAS experiment corresponding to the Hartmann-Hahn matching condition determined at the 10 kHz spinning frequency.
Acquire 4096 transients, condition the spectrum with exponential (Lorentzian) line broadening of 50-100 Hz, and do a Fourier transform to generate an NMR spectrum of signal intensity vs. chemical shielding (ppm).
Reference the 13C chemical shifts externally using adamantane set at 38.4 ppm (-CH2- group)8 as a standard.
Increase the rotor spinning frequency to 15 kHz and repeat the CPMAS measurement (steps 4.6-4.8) corresponding to the Hartmann-Hahn matching condition determined at this latter spinning frequency.
Repeat the CPMAS experiments (steps 4.1-4.9) with natural (waxy) and partially dewaxed fruit cuticle samples.