Seeds were extracted from the tomatoes by cutting across the
mid-section of the tomato using a sterilized scalpel. The scalpel was
sterilized with bleach and sprayed with ethanol between each fruit to
eliminate cross contamination. The seeds were then scraped from the
carpels, and following removal from the fruit were soaked in a 10% HCl
solution for 30 minutes in order to remove the gelatinous layer from
the outside of the seeds. The seeds were then rinsed with water and the slurry was strained using a metal sieve (size 8 round). Both the sieve
and collection tray were sterilized between samples. The strained seeds
were spread out on a labeled paper towel and allowed to dry overnight
in a biosafety cabinet prior to planting or extraction.