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The Ethylene Story
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Ethylene gas (H2C=CH2) is an odorless, colorless, gas that has gained a lot of attention in the produce industry the last few years. The understanding of its role in the ripening and aging of produce is being used to improve the quality of your food supply. Through the proper control of ethylene gas in the atmosphere, the produce industry can deliver their product to your grocer at its peak of goodness.
Ethylene may be produced from natural sources, plant and plant products (i.e. fruits, vegetables and floral products), or from man-made sources, such as combustion.
As is so often the case, ethylene's effects on produce was discovered by accident. For years lemon growers had stored newly harvested green lemons in sheds kept warm by kerosene heaters until they turned yellow and ripened enough to market. When new electric heating systems were installed, the lemons no longer turned yellow on time. Research soon found that the critical factor in the ripening process was small amounts of ethylene gas given off by the burning kerosene in the heaters.
It is well known that many fruits produce ethylene as they ripen. They use the ethylene as a signal to other plants to synchronize ripening so as to maximize their appeal to their seed disseminators (e.g. birds), thus assuring the dispersal of their seeds.
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Ethylene gas, harmless to humans, accelerates the ripening and rotting of many kinds of produce
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Other plant tissues can produce this gas, as well. Even after harvest, fruits, vegetables and flowers are still alive, continuing their biochemical processes, including ripening and the generation of ethylene. Bruising or cutting some fruits and vegetables can cause them to increase their ethylene production.
Ethylene’s role as a ripening agent for fruits and vegetables is a double-edged sword. Besides being the “ripening hormone”, ethylene is also known as the “death hormone”. Its role in the ripening process does not stop when you may want it to. As long as the ethylene is present in the atmosphere around produce the accelerated aging continues. Unless the produce is consumed, or the ethylene removed, the produce continues to age, wilt, spoil and rot.
Of course, when the produce in your refrigerator releases ethylene, it has no place to go and accumulates. So the spoilage effect of ethylene is concentrated where you want it the least. The produce industry has learned how to deliver their product in perfect condition to your grocer. The lessons they have learned may also be applied to your refrigerator.
The Ethylene Gas Guardian brings this technology to your
refrigerator.
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