Ethene

• Ethene:

  • Gas produced by aging parts of a plant
  • Influences the growth of the plant by controlling cell division
  • Also stimulates enzymes that cause fruit to ripen
• • Can also be used to speed up the ripening of fruit - either while they are still on the plant or during transport to the shops
  • Means that fruit can be picked when it's unripe , therefore firmer and less easily damaged
  • Gas is then added to the fruits on the way to the supermarket so that it will be perfect just as it reaches the shelves
• • Ripening can also be delayed while the fruit is in storage by adding chemicals that block ethene's effect on the fruit, or reduce the amount of ethene that the fruit can produce
  • Some chemicals cab be used that react with ethene to remove it from the air