Question

The chemical used for artificial ripening of green fruit is?
1. Carbon dioxide
2. Ethylene
3. Ethane
4. Carbide

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : Carbide

The correct answer is Carbide.

• Calcium Carbide (CaC₂) is most commonly used for the artificial ripening of fruits.
• In artificial ripening, unlike natural ripening, a ripening agent is used to promote the ripening of fruits and to induce a colour change.
  • Unsaturated hydrocarbons such as acetylene, ethylene etc. can promote ripening and induce colour changes.
  • When Calcium Carbide reacts with water, it produces acetylene gas and quickens the ripening process.
  • Reaction- CaC2 + 2H2O → C2H2 + Ca (OH)2 

• Ripening is the process by which fruits attain their desirable flavour, quality, colour, palatable nature.
  • Ripening is associated with a change in composition i.e. conversion of starch to sugar.
  • During ripening enzymatic breakdown and hydrolysis (reaction with water) of polysaccharides like starch takes place.
  • Starch breaks down into smaller molecules like fructose, glucose, sucrose etc.

• Ethylene is a gas and is known as the natural fruit-ripening hormone.
• Acetylene is not as effective as ethylene because acetylene is not a natural hormone, like ethylene.
• Artificially ripened fruits are less tasty and have a shorter life span than natural ones.