Modelling 3-D cellular microfluidics of different plant cells for the prediction of cellular deformations under external mechanical compression: A SPH-CG-based computational study

Abstract

Computational modelling of plant cellular materials and relevant mechanics are of interest in numerous research fields. Depending on the complex fluid and solid mechanics involved, there are many numerical modelling approaches applicable in the development of such computational models. This research investigation focuses on computational modelling threedimensional (3-D) microfluidics of parenchyma cells of three different plant cellular materials: apple, potato and grape with the intention of studying corresponding physical deformations under external mechanical compression which potentially can derive valuable insights about processing of such plant materials. A coupled Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) and Coarse-Grained (CG) approach has been utilised to numerically model the cell fluid and cell wall mechanics, respectively. Quantitative simulation results indicated almost similar cell deformations yielding to top and bottom flat surfaces. In terms of stress-strain behaviour, apple and grape cells revealed stiffer behaviour relative the potato cell. It is evident based on this study that depending on the differences of physical properties of plant cells, their behaviour under compression varies. Findings of this research can be potentially beneficial in further studies towards prediction of 3-D tissue deformation under external mechanical loading.