Ethylene
1. Ethylene is a small hydrocarbon gas.
2. It is a plant hormone which is synthesized during the ripening of fruits.
3. Ethylene is responsible for the changes in texture, softening, color, and other processes involved in ripening.
4. Ethylene
(a) Speeds up the ripening of fruits by stimulating the production of cellulose. Cellulase hydrolyses the cellulose in plant cell walls, making the fruit soft.
(b) Promotes the breakdown of complex carbohydrate into simple sugar. This make ripe fruit tastes sweeter than an unripe fruit.
5. Ethylene gas is used commercially to ripen tomatoes, bananas and pears.(a) Speeds up the ripening of fruits by stimulating the production of cellulose. Cellulase hydrolyses the cellulose in plant cell walls, making the fruit soft.
(b) Promotes the breakdown of complex carbohydrate into simple sugar. This make ripe fruit tastes sweeter than an unripe fruit.