Ethylene gas (C2H4) is an odorless, colorless gas that exists in nature and is also created by man-made sources. Not easily found, it exists where produce is stored. In nature, the biggest producers are plant and plant products (ie. fruits, vegetables and flowers) which produce ethylene within their tissues and release it into the air. It is also a by-product of man-made processes, such as combustion.How Was the Effect Discovered?
As is often the case, the role of ethylene and its effects on produce was a complete accident. Lemon growers would store newly harvested green lemons in sheds kept warm by kerosene heaters until they turned yellow and ripened enough to sell. When new modern heating systems were tried, the lemons no longer ripened on time. Research soon found that the main factor in the ripening process was small amounts of ethylene gas given off by the burning kerosene in the heaters.The Natural Role of Ethylene Gas
Ethylene, also known as the 'death' or 'ripening hormone' plays a controlling role in many processes of plant growth, development and eventually death. Fruits, vegetables and flowers contain receptors which serve as bonding sites to absorb free atmospheric ethylene molecules. The common practice of placing a banana in a paper bag to hasten ripening is an example of the action of ethylene on produce. Elevated levels of ethylene contained within the bag, released by the produce itself, serves as a stimulant after re-absorption to initiate the production of more ethylene. The overall effect is to hasten ripening, aging and eventually spoilage. A fridge acts in much the same way. Kept closed to retain the desired temperature, it also starts steady concentration of ethylene to accumulate. Any closed environment, such as a truck trailer, shipping container or warehouse, will have a similar effect. Why Control Ethylene?
Storage of produce items is of economic importance to the food and floral industry. Storage allows producers, handlers and sellers to spread availability over periods of strong and weak demand, maintaining supply and stabilizing cost. Within the industry, it is estimated that losses directly related to ethylene run into over billions of dollars annually. Removal of ethylene from the storage and shipping shipping container or warehouse, will have a similar effect. I'm sure you've been there, you're trying to eat healthier and buy every fruit and veggie imaginable but before you're halfway through your supply spoils. Can you imagine the money you can save if you could slow down the ripening effect? There are alot of produce storage containers that do this. But I don't know about you, but I don't have a lot of counter space. So that brings me back to those green bags. They save space, can be used in your fridge and reused. Sounds like a win-win to me. For more info on keeping a happy home visit us at http://cleanhomehappyhome.com/green-bags