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Abstract
Fig. A cross sectional illustration
of color changes in a leaf showing: Fig. 4. Hot air is
(1) Plastids, (2) Carotenoid pigments,
In Texas, citrus fruit harvested from September to (3) Anthocyanin pigments
introduced to
early January are subjected to ethylene treatment. maintain an air
Picture source: US Forest Service
temperature 82-
The degreening facilities are specially designed to 90 F.
hold many stacked bins of fruit. The temperature (82-
85F) and relative humidity (90-95%) levels are
expected to be regulated. Regular exchange of fresh
air (at least one cycle/hr) is recommended to avoid
carbon dioxide build-up. Ethylene gas (2-5 ppm) is
introduced into the room to induce fruit color Fig. 2.
change. Citrus fruits are normally embedded with Packinghouses
fungal spores from the field, especially at the stem- Similar changes occur in citrus fruit exposed to use ethylene gas
ethylene gas at high temperature and relative
end and stylar-ends. The spores remain dormant; humidity. Fruit that are degreened produce
in commercially
carbon dioxide. Excess carbon dioxide reacts available
however, the ethylene treatment and the room with ethylene producing carbon monoxide.
Fig.3. The ethylene supply between 2-5 ppm is cylinders. The
conditions would induce spore germination. This gas flow is
controlled by regulators for each degreening room.
results in fruit with stem-end rot, a fungal disease of Materials & Methods controlled by
citrus fruit. Many packinghouses in the Valley regulators.
experience stem-end rot problem as a result of Air Quality Assays
ethylene de-greening. Well-regulated, air quality
parameters in degreening rooms are necessary to Temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide concentrations
control stem-end rot disease. If the degreening were measured using a Q-Track (TSI Instruments, Inc). Tedlar bag
rooms are not properly designed and air quality used to
parameters not monitored; the conditions can reach collect ethylene
Results & Discussion (results
levels that are damaging to fruit. High carbon
not shown)
monoxide, carbon dioxide, and ethylene
concentrations may cause serious economic damage 100
CO2 Concentration
and human health issues. Ethylene oxide reacts with Temp. (F) Rel. Humidity (%)
CO (ppm)
carbon dioxide to produce carbon monoxide. 4000
100 80
96.3
95.4
93.1
92
91.9
89
3500
20
Introduction
83.3
3000 80 60
74.6
2500
Citrus fruit, especially the early season oranges in 15
Temperature (F)
harvested. The degreening process is done in clean, colored fruit. Outdoor air CO2 concentration = 455 ppm