Determination of Ethylene Release Rate in Banana Fruit Using Gas Chromatography

Ethylene,an important phytohormone,plays a significant role in the regulation of fruit ripening.In our research,the endogenous ethylene production in different stages of postharvest banana ripening was measured using capillary gas chromatography(GC).Their peak areas were determined by the external standard method.The relative standard deviation(RSD) of ethylene determination in latex was 1.85%,with the detectable limit of 0.062 μL/L.It was found that the capillary gas chromatography method was not only simple and rapid,but also more accurate and sensitive than other methods in determining the ethylene content and its producing rate in banana fruit.The results showed that the ethylene production of naturally ripening,exogenous ethylene treatment and 1-MCP treatment bananas in the postharvest ripening,showed the similar pattern,in accordance with present research,indicating that this method is a practical and an ideal approach.