ethene

• ethene stimulates ripening of fruit.
• ethene is a gas produced by ageing parts of plants . influences the growth of plant by controlling cell division. stimulates enzymes that causes fruit to ripen
• can speed ripening of fruit, wither still on plant or on way to shop
• this means fruit can be picked while still unripe, firmer and less easily damaged at this time. the gas is added and will ripe in time.
• ripening can also be delayed by adding chemicals that block ethene's effect on the fruit or reduce the amount of ethene that the fruit produces. chemicals can be used to react with ethene to remove it from the air