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Banned chemicals hasten fruit ripening
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Saturday, 18 March, 2006, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Bosky Christopher and Meghanadan S, Mumbai
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ration Act, 1954, highly toxic chemicals like calcium carbide and ethrel, banned by the government, are being used freely to artificially ripen fruits.
At the Byculla wholesale market, which supplies bananas to fruit vendors all over the city, it was recently discovered that workers used the chemicals to accelerate the ripening process.
"Calcium carbide generates acetylene and ethrel generates ethylene. The ethylene is the natural ripening hormone but acetylene only mimics its action. These agents are toxic only on direct consumption or exposure at high levels," said Dr Arun Sharma, Head of Food Technology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
"The problem is with the way these chemicals are applied on fruits. Direct application (contact) on fruits is certainly not the correct way. However, controlled exposure to the generated gases is an OK practice. Many vendors though resort to direct application by using carbide powder or liquid ethrel spray," added Dr Sharma.
Calcium carbide treatment is extremely hazardous because it contains traces of arsenic and phosphorous. Early symptoms of arsenic or phosphorous poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea with or without blood, burning sensation of the chest and abdomen, thirst, weakness and difficulty in swallowing and speech, and garlic like odour of breath. Other effects include numbness in the legs and hands, general weakness, cold and damp skin and low blood pressure. While most cases of arsenic and phosphorous poisoning are detected before they become fatal. If not treated in time, these can prove fatal. Excessive consumption of artificially ripened fruits could cause cancer, as traces of calcium carbide are unfit for human consumption.
"Artificially ripened fruits could be identified by the presence of residues of the above chemicals on fruits and also uneven ripening. One must, therefore, thoroughly wash fruits bought from the market before consumption, especially those which are not normally peeled. The washed fruits would be safe to eat," said Dr Sharma.
According to Dr Niti Desai, nutrition expert, "Close scrutiny can make it possible to identify fruits that have been treated with carbide. When tomatoes are uniformly red, or mangoes and papayas are uniformly orange, one could easily make out that carbide may have been used. Plantains can also be identified if the stem is dark green while the fruits are all yellow."
On the nutritional content, Dr Sharma said, "The nutritive value of artificially ripened fruits may not be affected but the taste certainly would be inferior. Nutritional content of fruits and vegetables is mainly a genetically controlled trait. It would not vary with the method of ripening."
"In some cases it is only the skin that changes colour, while the fruit itself remains green and raw. This result in the fruit becoming tasteless and possibly toxic," asserted Dr Desai.
Meanwhile, both the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), only kept passing the buck.
Subash Salunke, the joint commissioner, Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), told Food and Beverage News that the suspected samples have been sent for testing and the results are awaited.
When contacted, Dr Jayaraj G Thanekar, executive health officer, BMC, said, "We are waiting for the results and our officials are working round-the-clock regarding this matter. Once the results come in, it is the responsibility of FDA to take further actions, especially implementing the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act. But I promise this crisis will be put to an end soon."
Productivity of horticultural crops could be increased by using the right germplasm (seeds) and adopting good agronomic practices, integrated nutrient management and integrated pest management. These practices could be chosen in a way that do not harm the environment or food safety, concluded Dr Sharma.
The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954
44AA: Prohibition of use of carbide gas in ripening of fruits: No persons shall sell or offer or expose for sale or have in his premises for the purpose of sale under any description, fruits which have been artificially ripened by use of acetylene gas, commonly known as carbide gas.
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