Chemical used for the ripening of fruits:

Correct option is B

Correct Answer: (B) Ethylene
Explanation:
→ Ethylene is a naturally occurring plant hormone that plays a key role in the ripening of fruits. It is used commercially to accelerate the ripening process in various fruits such as bananas, tomatoes, and mangoes.
→ Ethylene is a gas that stimulates the production of enzymes that break down cell walls, starches, and acids in fruits, making them softer, sweeter, and more palatable.
→ The process of using ethylene to ripen fruits is safe and widely used in the agricultural industry, especially to ensure that fruits reach markets while still in an unripe state for easier transportation.
Information Booster:
→ Ethylene is also used in the food industry to ripen fruits in a controlled manner, especially for fruits that continue to ripen after harvesting.
→ It is particularly effective in fruits like apples, pears, mangoes, and avocados, helping them ripen uniformly.
→ Ethylene is a plant hormone that naturally occurs in many fruits, including bananas, apples, and tomatoes.
→ It is one of the simplest gaseous plant hormones, and its production increases as fruits mature, enhancing their ripening.
→ Ethylene can also be used to control the timing of fruit ripening, making it easier to manage the harvest, packaging, and distribution.
→ The ripening process involves the breakdown of starches into sugars and changes in the texture and color of fruits.
Additional Information (Other Options):
Option (A) – Methane: Methane is a flammable gas that is not involved in the ripening of fruits. It has different applications, such as in the production of natural gas, but does not play a role in the ripening process.
Option (C) – Sulphuric acid: Sulphuric acid is a highly corrosive substance and is not used in fruit ripening. It can be used for cleaning or in industrial processes but is not related to fruit ripening.
Option (D) – Glucose: Glucose is a sugar and an energy source for plants, but it does not directly contribute to the ripening process in fruits. Ethylene, rather than glucose, is responsible for initiating the ripening process.