Cell wall composition of tomato fruit changes during development and inhibition of vesicle trafficking is associated with reduced pectin levels and reduced softening

► The pectin content of wild type tomato fruit went up during fruit development. ► Pectin esterification has been estimated at stages prior to breaker. ► SlRab11a was expressed most strongly during fruit expansion. ► SlRab11a antisense transformed fruit accumulate less pectin than wild type. ► We suggest a new approach to address fruit spoilage.