Ethylene can be found everywhere. It exists in some tissues and organs of plants and is converted when methionine is adequately supplied with oxygen. Of course, the use of ethylene is quite extensive. Fibers, rubber, plastics, ethanol and alcohol can all be used as basic chemical raw materials, as well as ripening agents for fruits and vegetables. It is also a plant hormone. This article will briefly introduce the application of ethylene as a ripening agent.
1.Safety of ethylene:
In addition to knowing that ethylene can be used as some basic chemical raw materials, it is also associated with the fact that it can also be used as a ripening agent for fruits and vegetables. It is inevitable that there will be some concerns about whether ethylene used as a ripening agent will be toxic and harmful to the human body. In fact, ethylene is harmless to the human body when used to ripen fruits. If it is really harmful, there will be no such principle. During the growth process, plants will produce a chemical called "ethylene", which can regulate the maturation process of plants during the production process. Before the plant itself produces ethylene, ethylene can be added artificially, so that the plant will grow faster. Ethylene itself is a gas and it is not very convenient to use gas. Later, a liquid ethylene, also called ethephon, was invented. The so-called ripening is actually to accelerate the growth and maturation process of plants in advance. Substances that will not be synthesized during the natural maturation process of plants will not be synthesized after ripening. Therefore, fruits and vegetables ripened by ethylene can be eaten with confidence.
2.Ripening principle:
The production of ethylene is the beginning of fruit ripening. Peak type can only be used before the peak appears, so that the peak appears and ripening is promoted. If ethylene is used after the peak, it will not enhance respiration and promote ripening. Ethylene can increase the permeability of the pulp cell membrane system, making it easier for mitochondria to obtain radon (mitochondria are the place where respiratory enzymes exist in cells), making it easier for ATP and various metabolites to pass, thereby strengthening the internal oxidation process and promoting respiration and other metabolic actions. In addition, ethylene can promote the synthesis of multiple enzymes, which is conducive to the changes in organic matter and pigments during fruit ripening and the softening of fruits. Therefore, ethylene promotes the ripening of fruits. However, it is also found that when citrus and grapes ripen, they are more related to another plant hormone, abscisic acid (ABA).
3.CO2 has a competitive inhibitory effect on the ripening effect of ethylene:
The mechanism of ethylene ripening is presumed to be that it first binds to a metal-containing enzyme, and CO2 competes with ethylene for binding to this enzyme, thereby inhibiting the effect of ethylene. In addition, ethylene homologues propylene, acetylene and CO also have a ripening effect.
4.How to monitor ethylene concentration to avoid danger?
Detection method of ethylene gas: Ethylene is a toxic and harmful gas that is easy to leak in industrial production, so it is necessary to use gas detection instruments for detection. Ethylene detector can monitor its concentration online in real time 24 hours a day, with built-in display and sound and light alarm, conventional 4-20MA and RS485 signal output, customized wireless transmission data, high and low alarm values can be freely set, when the gas concentration exceeds the standard, it will automatically issue an alarm sound of more than 85dB, equipped with industrial-grade aluminum alloy protective shell, sturdy and durable.