Ethephon Ripening Has No Side Effects When Used Properly
Recently, media reports have indicated that mangoes on the market are ripened using the plant growth regulator Ethephon, which has adversely affected agricultural product safety, causing public concern and anxiety. Recently, Yi Ganjun, Vice President, Doctoral Supervisor, and Researcher of the Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, provided detailed answers to questions regarding Ethephon:
Reporter: Why use Ethephon to ripen fruit?
Yi Ganjun: During the natural ripening process of fruit (especially bananas, mangoes, papayas, etc.), they release a large amount of ethylene, which further accelerates the ripening process.
Traditionally, ripe bananas or apples are placed together with unripe bananas and wrapped in a thin film. The principle is that the ethylene released from the ripe fruit triggers the production of ethylene within the banana, thus ripening the banana. The use of incense sticks to ripen bananas also utilizes the principle that burning incense produces ethylene gas.
According to Pesticide Network, the artificial use of Ethephon to ripen bananas and other fruits utilizes its slow release of ethylene to achieve the ripening effect.
Reporter: Does ethylene have any side effects on humans?
Yi Ganjun: Ethylene is a natural plant hormone widely present in plants. Fruits naturally produce large amounts of ethylene during ripening, so ethylene has no side effects on humans.
Reporter: What is the principle behind Ethephon ripening fruit? Yi Ganjun: Ethephon reacts with water or hydroxyl-containing compounds to release ethylene. Plants contain a glycoprotein called an ethylene receptor. Ethylene, acting as a catalyst, binds to the ethylene receptor, and then further metabolizes and exerts physiological effects, such as accelerating fruit respiration and promoting the conversion of organic acids and starch into soluble sugars, thereby promoting ripening and coloring. Therefore, the ripening process using ethylene is a complex plant physiological and biochemical reaction.
Reporter: Is it scientific to use ethylene or Ethephon to ripen fruit?
Yi Ganjun: Ripening is an indispensable part of the fruit industry chain and has been a common practice both domestically and internationally for many years. As long as it is operated according to regulations, using ethylene or Ethephon to ripen fruit will not cause any harm to humans. Ethephon residue in fruit must not exceed 2 mg/kg. Therefore, when using ethephon to ripen fruit, it is essential to follow relevant regulations and avoid prolonged soaking. Another method is to ripen fruit by introducing ethylene gas into a ripening chamber.
Reporter: Why use Ethephon to ripen fruit?
Yi Ganjun: During the natural ripening process of fruit (especially bananas, mangoes, papayas, etc.), they release a large amount of ethylene, which further accelerates the ripening process.
Traditionally, ripe bananas or apples are placed together with unripe bananas and wrapped in a thin film. The principle is that the ethylene released from the ripe fruit triggers the production of ethylene within the banana, thus ripening the banana. The use of incense sticks to ripen bananas also utilizes the principle that burning incense produces ethylene gas.
According to Pesticide Network, the artificial use of Ethephon to ripen bananas and other fruits utilizes its slow release of ethylene to achieve the ripening effect.
Reporter: Does ethylene have any side effects on humans?
Yi Ganjun: Ethylene is a natural plant hormone widely present in plants. Fruits naturally produce large amounts of ethylene during ripening, so ethylene has no side effects on humans.
Reporter: What is the principle behind Ethephon ripening fruit? Yi Ganjun: Ethephon reacts with water or hydroxyl-containing compounds to release ethylene. Plants contain a glycoprotein called an ethylene receptor. Ethylene, acting as a catalyst, binds to the ethylene receptor, and then further metabolizes and exerts physiological effects, such as accelerating fruit respiration and promoting the conversion of organic acids and starch into soluble sugars, thereby promoting ripening and coloring. Therefore, the ripening process using ethylene is a complex plant physiological and biochemical reaction.
Reporter: Is it scientific to use ethylene or Ethephon to ripen fruit?
Yi Ganjun: Ripening is an indispensable part of the fruit industry chain and has been a common practice both domestically and internationally for many years. As long as it is operated according to regulations, using ethylene or Ethephon to ripen fruit will not cause any harm to humans. Ethephon residue in fruit must not exceed 2 mg/kg. Therefore, when using ethephon to ripen fruit, it is essential to follow relevant regulations and avoid prolonged soaking. Another method is to ripen fruit by introducing ethylene gas into a ripening chamber.
