Cutin

Cutin is the waxy, water-repelling polymer laid down in the outer cell walls of fruit peels, leaves and stems, forming the plant cuticle. Chemically it is built from oxidized, condensed fatty acids together with soaps and esters; nutritionally it counts as dietary fibre and may supply hydroxy fatty acids. The cuticle protects plants against water loss, microbial attack and environmental stress. In food science, cuticle integrity influences how well fruits resist decay in storage and how readily they take up postharvest waxes and sanitizers.