Correct Answer - Option 2 : Ethylene
The Chemical used for the ripening of fruits is Ethylene.
Ripening of fruits:
- Most fruits produce a gaseous compound called ethylene that starts the ripening process.
- Its level in under-ripe fruit is very low, but as the fruits develop, they produce larger amounts of the chemical that speeds up the ripening process or the stage of ripening known as the “climacteric.”
- The most commonly used chemical is called ethephon (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid).
- It penetrates into the fruit and decomposes ethylene.
- Another chemical that is regularly used is calcium carbide, which produces acetylene, which is an analog of ethylene.
Ethylene (C2H4) is a colorless gas that causes fruit to ripen when exposed to it. This occurs because ethylene reacts with the oxygen gas in the air to form carbon dioxide and water. These products help speed the ripening process of fruit.
