PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION OF ETHYLENE BY ETHYLENE-TREATED BANANAS

Abstract

Bananas were ripened in a gas-tight container to which pure ethylene was added. Ethylene present in the container at the beginning and end of each day was detd. by the author''s method. At the beginning and at the close of the ripening period more ethylene was found at the end of the day than at the beginning; during the ripening period, less was found. Ethylene is evidently consumed by the banana in the ripening process, probably in connection with the hydrolytic processes.