ETHYLENE SCAVENGER TO DELAY RIPENING OF BANANA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The post-harvest management of hotticulture products involves a series of biochemical pathways which lead to changes in colour, aroma, texture, and nutritional quality. Several attempts have been made to improve the products' postharvest storage. Ethylene, a plant hmmone is naturally generated during the ripening process. This compound promotes both the ripening process and the deterioration of the fruit. The horticulture products have to be maintained at low ethylene concentrations for effective transpott and storage. This study focuses on developing ethylene scavengers from rice husk-derived activated carbon. The rice husk waste biomass has been chemically treated and has been impregnated along with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The functionality has been enhanced with the addition of metal oxides followed by drying. The resulting beads were demonstrated to oe effective· ih extending the shelf life of frutts by adsorbtng ethylene gas.·

Specification

Ethylene scavenger to delay ripening of banana
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRPTION
THE FIELD OF INVENTION
The field of invention in producing ethylene gas adsorber from rice husk-derived activated carbon falls within
sustainable scavenging material. This contributes to the extended shelf life of food products.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ,.
The development of ethylene scavenger beads from activated carbon derived from rice husks aims to
effectively remove ethylene gas, thereby extending the shelf life of postharvest products. Agricultural solid
waste is abundant in every nation, offering a cost-effective source that can be transfonned into high-quality
activated carbon. Currently, rice husks are typically used as a nutrient source in soil or discarded into the
environment. However, these wastes hold significant potential for conversion into valuable materials for
various applications. With an annual rice production of 571 million tons, over 140 million tons of rice husk
waste are generated. The major components of rice husk include minerals and lignocellulosic compounds,
making it a sustainable resource that has been investigated for numerous applications, including the synthesis
of activated carbon. Bananas, as climacteric fruits, soften upon ripenipg. The ethylene gas produced during.
their respiration accelerates the ripening process during postharvest handling, further stimulating ripening and
significantly shortening the shelf life of the fruit during storage. The critical concerns in postharvest storage
of food products are managing factors such as humidity and ethylene concentration. Additionally, when
banana tissue is injured, the resulting ethylene generation leads to undesirable changes in the fruit's quality.
This issue can be addressed by developing ethylene scavengers. Current commercial ethylene control systems
include ventilation, oxidation with potassium permanganate, and the use of adsorbents. Developing adsorbent
material from agricultural waste for ethylene gas adsorption is an eco-friendly approach that repurposes waste
biomass into a valuable product. Consequently, the primary objective of the present study is to develop
ethylene gas adsorber beads using activated carbon derived from rice husk waste, thereby providing an
effective solution to prolong the freshness and quality of bananas during storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An ethylene gas adsorbent was developed using rice husk waste biomass to extend the shelf life of bananas.
This approach leverages the enhanced properties of activated carbon derived from rice husks, offering a
sustainable and effective solution for postharvest fruit preservation.
Ethylene scavenger to delay ripening of banana
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
Specifications
• The main compound of the adsorbent beads developed is rice husk waste. The activated carbon attained
from rice husk is combined with sodium alginate solution which acts as the binder.
• The slun-y solution was dropped into calcium chloride solution to form beads through ion exchange.
• The beads formed are allowed to settle for a few hours followed by washing and drying around 60-80
°C until complete dryness is attained.
• The functionalisation of the beads is fUither enhanced by soaking the beads in potassium petmanganate
solution, followed by drying.
• The beads produced have shown to demonstrate great potential as an adsorbent for ethylene gas
removal during transportation and storage.
DESCRIPTION
Developing an ethylene gas scavenger tiom naturally available biomass that is considered wastes such as rice
husk along with sodium alginate, calcium chloride and potassium permanganate as binder components. The
addition of activated carbon in the bead fonnation has shown effective adsorption capacity against ethylene
gas. The shelf life of bananas in closed storage has been shown to extend up to 13 days. This is achieved by
using_l5 g of the adsorbent per kg of the fruit. The beads produ~ed are packed in sachets and kept along with
the fruits in closed storage. This demonstrates the potential of rice husk-derived activated nanoporous carbon
as an adsorbent for the effective removal of ethylene gas during the storage of fruits

CLAIM
We Claim
I. The porous carbon beads produced by the pyrolysis of rice husk biomass showed effective
characteristics of pores.
2. The adsorbent has shown promising application in extending the shelf life of bananas to up
to 13 days.
3. The beads developed have proven to be an economical and effective method for ethylene gas
removaL

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