Mindanao Times news article on website
(source: https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Experts+studying+new+agent+for+mango+ripening-a0566396707)
Researchers at the University of the Philippines Mindanao are looking into coming up with a safer fruit-ripening agent as the use of calcium carbide has been proven harmful to health.
In a study present on Monday, researchers said the use of calcium carbide, commonly known as 'carburo,' produces substances like arsenic and phosphorus.
At present, researchers are on the process of testing a safer alternative source of ethylene for fruit ripening which was initially developed in the University of Queensland.
Angelyn Lacap, research assistant at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research project, explained that the agent currently being used by farmers, calcium carbide, is harmful and that the university is in partnerships with other institutions to develop alternatives.
In a study presented on Monday during the UP Mindanao Research Colloquium at Davao Eagle Ridge Resort, a researcher said the use of carburo produces harmful substances like arsenic and phosphorus.
These elements transform into dangerous substances during the ripening process that may contaminate the peel of the fruit.
The alternative substance uses the same ripening agent, but is encapsulated in a safer sugar molecule, which releases ethylene safely.
The product is not yet commercially available, but a fruit exporter has expressed interest in the development.
"We are testing, we are building proofs of concept so that when we are ready to show it to the people, to the public, we can have a complete basis for its ripening effect," she added.
At present, the team is conducting a series of trials in order to standardize the application of the alternative ripening agents on varieties of mango.