BIOMOLECULES AND ENZYMES

Detailed explanation-1: -Ethylene is a gas and is known as the “fruit-ripening hormone.” Every fruit has a certain level of ethylene production throughout its lifecycle. However, in some fruits, ethylene levels shoot up when the fruit starts ripening.

Detailed explanation-2: -Ethylene is a gaseous plant hormone that causes the ripening of fruits. It is synthesized in a large amount in the fruits and tissues undergoing ripening and senescence, respectively. Ethylene is commonly used in agricultural practice.

Detailed explanation-3: -Ethylene gas, acetylene gas liberated from calcium carbide, and ethephon are some of the commercial ripening agents used successfully in the trade and they have been widely studied for their effectiveness on initiating and accelerating the ripening process and their effect on fruit quality and health related issues.

Detailed explanation-4: -Pectin degrading enzymes such as polygalacturonase, pectin methyl esterase, lyase, and rhamnogalacturonase are the most implicated in fruit-tissue softening.

Detailed explanation-5: -Ethylene gas (C₂H₄) is naturally occurring in produce, and is commonly used to aid in the ripening process of many common fruits (e.g., bananas, kiwifruit).