Question

Find out the commonly used chemicals to ripen the fruits artifically.

Answer 1

Ethene is the best answer

Answer 2

Fruits and vegetables are highly nutritious and form a key food commodity in the human consumption. They are highly perishable due to their low shelf life. These food commodities are reported to be contaminated with toxic and health hazardous chemicals.Chemicals like calcium carbide / Ethephon and oxytocin are reportedly being used in fruit and vegetable mandis / farms for artificial ripening of fruits and for increasing the size of fruits and vegetables respectively. Calcium carbide more commonly known as ‘masala’ is a carcinogenic agent and banned under Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2011. Ethephon is a pesticide and so it is not recommended as a ripening enhancer. Oxytocin is a mammalian hormone, used as a drug in veterinary services and is not advised for use in fresh fruits and vegetables.