Ethene

• Ethene is a gas produced by aging parts of a plant, and it influences the growth of the plant by controlling cell division, and also stimulates enzymes that cause the fruit to ripen
• Commercially, ethene can be used to speed up the ripening of the fruits, either while they are still on the plant, or during transport to the shops
• Fruit can be picked up while still unripe (and therefore firmer and less damaged), then the gas is added 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 fruit can produce - alternatively, some chemicals can be used that react with ethene to remove it from the air