Effect of Induced Fruit Ripening Agent Calcium Carbide on Some Physiological Aspects of Gold Fish Carassius Auratus

Abstract

Ripening agents ripen fruits as early as their natural maturation period. Means ripening process takes place prior to full ripening. The fruit ripening agents are generally unsaturated hydrocarbons, namely acetylene, ethylene, propylene, ethanol etc. However, a chemical known as calcium carbide (CaC2) is most commonly used for artificial ripening of fruits. Calcium carbide when hydrolyzed produces acetylene gas which causes artificial ripening of fruits resulting change in softening, colour and other processes. Climatic fruits are able to continue ripening after being picked, a process accelerated by ethylene gas. Ethylene is a small hydrocarbon gas of natural occurrence but it can also occur as a result of combustion and other processes. Some fruits will produce ethylene as ripening begins. Catalytic generators are used to produce ethylene gas simply and safely. Ethylene glycol, a sweet tasting odorless liquid, it can also be found in lower, less harmful concentration in some windshield deicing agents. newlineFruits are being ripened by various traditional or artificial methods, However in the recent years, artificial fruit ripening has been considered a matter of concern and the effect of artificial ripening has become questionable because of various health related issues. Most of the ripening agents are toxic and their consumption can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease, skin disease, lung failure and kidney failure (Hakim 2012). newlineScientists have also reported that regular consumption of artificially ripened fruits may cause dizziness, weakness, skin ulcer and heart related diseases. (Nagel, 1989). The ripening agents may contain different chemicals or toxic elements and impurities which are also harmful for human health. The process of fruit ripening is chiefly regulated by a gaseous plant hormone called ethylene (Thompson, et al., 1987). Many animals will voluntarily drink ethylene glycol if antifreeze is spilled newlineor leaks on to garage floors or driveways. Ethylene glycol has a very narrow margin of