Cyclic voltammetry of apple fruits: Memristors in vivo

• Electrostimulation by bipolar voltage waves induces electrotonic potentials in apples.
• Electrical networks in apple fruits have electrical differentiators.
• Apple fruits have memristors, resistors with memory.
• TEACl, an inhibitor of K+ channels, transforms memristors to resistors in apples.

A memristor is a resistor with memory that exhibits a pinched hysteretic relationship in cyclic voltammetry. Recently, we have found memristors in the electrical circuitry of plants and seeds. There are no publications in literature about the possible existence of memristors and electrical differentiators in fruits. Here we found that the electrostimulation of Golden Delicious or Arkansas Black apple fruits by bipolar periodic waves induces hysteresis loops with pinched points in cyclic voltammograms at low frequencies between 0.1 MHz and 1 MHz. At high frequencies of 1 kHz, the pinched hysteresis loop transforms to a non-pinched hysteresis loop instead of a single line I = V / R for ideal memristors because the amplitude of electrical current depends on capacitance of a fruit's tissue and electrodes, frequency and direction of scanning. Electrostimulation of electrical circuits in apple fruits by periodic voltage waves also induces electrotonic potential propagation due to cell-to-cell electrical coupling with electrical differentiators. A differentiator is an electrical circuit in which the output of the circuit is approximately directly proportional to the rate of change of the input. The information gained from electrostimulation can be used to elucidate and to observe electrochemical and electrophysiological properties of electrical circuits in fruits.

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