Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Fruit ripening involves biochemical changes, including pigment synthesis (which determines skin color) and cell wall degradation (which determines firmness and texture).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze both statements:
Assertion A Analysis: During mango ripening, the peel color changes from green to various shades of yellow, orange, red, or violet, depending on the cultivar.
This is due to the degradation of chlorophyll and the synthesis of carotenoids and anthocyanins. Thus, Assertion A is true.
Reason R Analysis: Pectin is a structural polysaccharide in plant cell walls.
During ripening, pectin is broken down by enzymes like pectin methylesterase (PME) and polygalacturonase (PG), which leads to fruit softening.
Pectin has no chromophoric properties and does not influence the development of skin color.
The skin color changes are driven by pigments: carotenoids (yellow/orange) and anthocyanins (red/violet).
Therefore, Reason R is biochemically incorrect.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Since Assertion A is true but Reason R is false, the correct option is (C).