FSSAI License , FSSAI Consultancy: March 2020

Artificial Fruit Ripening Ethylene used in different forms is approved by FSSAI to ripen the fruits, up to a limited concentration of 100 parts per million.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive to food safety commissioners in all States and UTs to undertake effective surveillance and enforcement activities for preventing the use of banned substances such as calcium carbide or acetylene gas for artificial ripening of fruits. They are also advised to do similar exercise for vegetables to check the level of pesticides.

According to FSSAI, despite prohibition on sale of artificially ripened fruits using calcium carbide, the prevalence of such ripened fruits in the market is a serious cause of concern which needs to be tackled effectively.

A focused and sustained awareness campaign at Mandi level may be conducted for the FBOs. The awareness campaign in this regard may also be conducted through media for proper education of the FBOs.

Fruit ripening is a combination of physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes which lead to changes in colour, sugar content, acidity, texture, and aroma.

In general, it is a physiological process which makes the fruit edible, palatable and nutritious. Fruits are classified into two categories according to the ripening pattern:

a. Climacteric fruits: These fruits are usually harvested once they have reached its full maturity and can be furtherripened during transit or storage. These include banana, guava, avocado, mango, apple, pears, apricots, peach, tomato etc.

b. Non-climacteric fruits: These fruits do not ripen after harvest. Thus, in order to attain full ripeness and flavour, these fruits are often harvested once they have fully matured and ripened in the orchard. It includes fruits such as lemons, orange, grape, cherry, pineapple, strawberry etc.

Need for artificialripening

Artificial ripening is the process by which ripening is controlled to achieve desired characteristics intended for better consumer acceptance and improving sales.It is generally done for climacteric fruits such as mango, papaya, banana, etc. to achieve faster and uniform ripening characteristics. Globally, artificially ripened fruits are considered as safe for human consumption if done using safe ripening agents. It facilitates the transportation of fruits like mango, banana, etc. which become soft and perishable after ripening. These fruits are transported to distant places in unripe condition to avoid loss and are artificially ripened at the destination market before sale.

Provisions for artificial ripening of fruits under food safety &standards regulations, 2011

Artificial ripening of fruits by acetylene gas, commonly known as carbide gas is prohibited as per the provision in sub regulation 2.3.5 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulation, 2011. It permits the use of ethylene gas ata concentration up to 100 ppm (100µ1/L) depending upon the crop, variety and maturity for artificial ripening of fruits.

Issues in artificialripening

The Industrial-grade calcium carbide, popularly known as "masala" is often used by some unscrupulous traders to release acetylene gas for artificial ripening of fruits like mango, banana, papaya, etc. Calcium carbide contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus which is harmful for humans and may cause dizziness, frequent thirst, irritation, weakness, difficulty in swallowing, vomiting, skin ulcer, etc. The acetylene gas released from calcium carbide is equally harmful for handlers. There are chances that calcium carbide may come in direct contact with fruits during application and leave residues of arsenic and

phosphorus on fruits. Thus, use of this chemical for ripening of fruits is banned in India.

Artificial Fruit Ripening Ethylene GAS ( C2H4 )

Ethylene is a hormone naturally produced within the fruit and regulates fruit ripening by initiating and controlling a series of chemical and biochemical activities . The treatment of unripe fruits with ethylene gas triggers the natural ripening until the fruit itself starts producing ethylene in large quantities .

A Standard Operating Procedures (SOP ) detailing all aspects of Artificial Fruit Ripening by ethylene gas is developed by working Group constituted at FSSAI on recommendation of Scientific Panel on Fruits and Vegetables and their Products ( Including Dried Fruits and Nuts , salt , spices and condiments )

The working group consists of members from the scientific panel and expert from relevant Institutes .

1. Restrictions

Any preparation containing calcium carbide or acetylene gas
Any source of ethylene gas coming in direct contact with fruits

2. Requirements for Ethylene Ripening System/Chamber

Air tight room, preferably an insulated one for better temperature control
Temperature regulation systems (cooling heating)
Humidity regulation system
Proper air circulation and ventilation
Ethylene gas generation / injection system
Ensured power supply (for ripening chambers)
Display board indicating temperature, relative humidity, ethylene concentration, CO2

Suggested handling conditions for stacking of fruits and air circulation

Fruits should be kept in ventilated plastic crates or stackable fruit boxes inside the ripening chamber/temporary structure. Stacking of boxes should be done keeping minimum 4-6 inches space from the walls and between the adjacent crates. For uniform ripening, airflow throughout the chamber shall be maintained. Fruit should not occupy more than 75% of the volume of the chamber (as well as crate) during the treatment.

Table 1 Requirements of exposure time and ripening temperature for different fruits

Fruits	Ethylene exposure time (hours)	Ripening temperature (C) *	Relative Humidity (RH) (%)
Banana	24 -28	15 -18	90 -95
Mango	24 -28	20 -22	90 -95
Papaya	24 -28	20 -25	90 -95
Pear	24 -28	18 -22	90 -95
Tomato	24 -28	18 -20	90 -95

*Fruits should be transferred to ripening chamber once the ripening temperature is attained after pre-cooling by appropriate method.

Sources of Ethylene Gas: Ethylene gas obtained through the following systems may be used for artificial ripening of fruits:

For Ripening Chambers

Ethylene gas cylinders
Compressed ethylene gas (aerosol cans)
Ethylene generators
2 chloroethyl phosphonic acid (Ethephon/Ethrel) with alkali

For Cartons/Boxes

2 chloroethyl phosphonic acid (Ethephon) in powdered form
Ethylene gas encapsulated in biologically safe ingredients such as cellulose, starch and proteins

Protocol for application of Ethylene gas from various sources

Ethylene gas cylinders:

Maintain the temperature and RH inside the empty ripening chamber as per Table1, depending upon the commodity.
Once desired temperature and RH is achieved, place the crates containing fruits into the ripening chamber. Temperature of fruits should be as close as possible to the temperature mentioned in Table 1, above.
Introduce ethylene gas into the chamber (up to 100 ppm) through the gas cylinders.
Monitor CO2 inside the chamber and maintain it below 5000 ppm.
Maintain the temperature, RH, concentration of ethylene gas and CO2 levels as suggested above for 24-48 hours.
Remove the fruits from the ripening chamber and store in another chamber at optimum storage temperature till further use.
Avoid excess of ethylene accumulation in the chamber for desired results.

Compressed ethylene gas (aerosol cans):

All items as above except (c)
Instead of introducing ethylene through the gas cylinders, spray of compressed ethylene gas inside the ripening chamber (2.7 litres gas per can for 27 m3 volume or in the same ratio) shall be used, which result in maximum ethylene concentration of 100 ppm.
Ethylene gas should be sprayed in the empty/open space in the chamber, not directly on the fruits.

Ethylene generators:

All items as in Ethylene gas cylinders above except (c).
In this method ethylene gas is generated using catalytic converter from ethanol, and is brought into the ripening chamber through a calibrated gas regulator (up to 100 ppm).

2 Chloroethyl phosphonic acid (Ethephon 39% SL) with alkali:

All items as in Ethylene gas cylinders above except (c).
In this method ethylene gas is generated from2 chloroethyl phosphonic acid

(ethephon 39% SL). 0.50 g is added in 2 ml of ethephon 39% SL for every 1 m3 air tight room / ripening chamber. Gas formation will start immediately. The maximum concentration of ethylene gas generated will be 100 ppm.

Sachet containing 2 chloroethyl phosphonic acid (Ethephon) in powder form:

Ethephon in powder form may be used for artificial ripening of fruits. It shall be packed in 40-60 microns cellulose membrane paper or its equivalent in form of small sachets. The ripening mixture in the sachets should be as per the composition recommended below. This ripening method may be used where ripening chambers are not available or for in- transit ripening. The sachet must generate ethylene gas only and should not contain any traces of calcium carbide or acetylene gas.

Composition: 2 chloroethyl phosphonic acid (Ethephon), and combination of alkali (oxides and carbonates of magnesium and calcium, sodium and potassium carbonates and bicarbonates, magnesium silicates).

Keep the fruit in air tight boxes or make the boxes air tight by paper etc.
Take ethylene forming sachet [(500 mg containing 50 mg 2 chloroethyl- phosphonic acid (Ethephon)] and dip it in water for 5-10 seconds.
Place the water-soaked sachet in perforated plastic box (approximately 5cm x 5 cm x 5 cm size).
Place this small plastic box containing the sachet into the fruit box / crate (approximately at the centre of box/crate) having volume of 2.7 m3, which should be sufficient for 10 kg fruits. The ethylene gas generated will not exceed 100 ppm.
Remove the small plastic box containing the sachet after 24 hours.

For food business operators/traders

a. Pre-treatment operations:

Harvest the fruits at optimum maturity.
Treatment with ethylene up to 100 ppm concentration should be used for ripening. The concentration of ethylene may go up due to autocatalytic production of ethylene once ripening is triggered by exogenous application of ethylene.
Procure ethylene cylinder/aerosol cans/Ethephon/Ethrel from reputed companies
Ensure authenticity / purity of the sachet containing ethephon in powder form and other components.
Use well labelled sachets mentioning details of manufacturer, composition, instructions for use etc.
Ethylene releasing agents shall not come in direct contact with fruits.
For uniform ripening in chambers, airflow throughout the room shall be maintained. Fruit should not occupy more than 75% of the volume of the chamber (as well as crate) during the treatment.
Relative Humidity, temperature and exposure time shall be maintained as prescribed in table 1 during ripening for best results.
CO2 concentration shall be maintained below 5000 ppm. It can be achieved by CO2 scrubbing devices or air exchange at interval of every 6 hours. High concentration of CO2 will retard the ripening process.

b. Post-treatment operations:

Transfer the fruits to ventilated room with appropriate storage temperature and relative humidity for ripening after completion of the treatment.
Remove the sachet out of the fruit boxes after completion of the treatment (24 hours).

c. Guidelines for safety

Ethylene gas is highly inflammable. Cylinders should be used with caution. Ethylene concentrations above 27000 ppm are explosive.
Smoking should be strictly prohibited around the premises.
Electrical circuits should be properly monitored.
Gas leakage monitoring system should be installed in the commercial ripening chambers.

For consumers

Purchase fruits and vegetables from known sellers/reputed stores/ dealers who claim that fruits are not ripened by using harmful/banned chemicals.

Wash fruits thoroughly with running potable water before eating.

Avoid fruits with black blotches on the skin as these fruits are likely to be ripened by acetylene gas produced from calcium carbide.

For Food Safety Officials

The illegal use of calcium carbide in fruit markets/mandi’s and shops shall be monitored.
Safety and purity of sources used for generating ethylene gas shall be monitored and regulated. Any source of ethylene gas should not come in direct contact with fruits.
Labelling on ethylene releasing sources must be checked for composition, name of manufactures, instructions for use, etc.
Suspected samples of any source of ethylene gas shall be analysed for absence of calcium carbide by the authorized labs.

The display units, if available in the ripening chambers may be checked for concentration of ethylene gas used.

Capacity building of fruit traders/FBOs may be encouraged for permitted source of ethylene gas and its use as ripening agent as per the standard operating procedure mentioned in section (F) of this document.
The fruit traders need to be made aware of the danger of unsafe ripening agents such as calcium carbide.

Guidelines for natural ripening

Fruits may be ripened naturally using the below mentioned methods within 4-6 days, if kept at room temperature These methods entrap ethylene around fruit and facilitates faster ripening.