Physico-chemical properties and toxic effect of fruit-ripening agent calcium carbide

Abstract

Ripening is the final stage of the maturation process, when the fruit changes color, softens and develops the flavor, texture and aroma that constitute optimum eating quality. This study was conducted to discuss the use of unsatisfactory calcium carbide to ripen fruits for domestic markets as well as their toxic effects on human health. The commonly used ripening agents are calcium carbide, acetylene, ethylene, propylene, ethrel (2-chloroethyl phosphonic acid), glycol, ethanol and some other agents. The calcium carbide is one of the most commonly used ripening agent for fruits, while other calcium salts like calcium ammonium nitrate, calcium chloride and calcium sulfate are used to delay fruit ripening agents for local fruit industries. The use of calcium carbide is being discouraged worldwide, due to associated health hazards. Calcium carbide treatment of food is extremely hazardous because it contains traces of arsenic and phosphorous, and once dissolved in water, it produces acetylene gas. Arsenic, phosphorous and acetylene gas may affect the different body organs and causes various health problems like headache, dizziness, mood disturbances, sleepiness, mental confusion, memory loss, cerebral edema, seizures and prolonged hypoxia. Asif: Toxic effect of calcium carbide Cite this article as: Asif M. Physico-chemical properties and toxic effect of fruit-ripening agent calcium carbide. Ann Trop Med Public Health 2012;5:150-6.

Calcium Carbide-Induced Haematological Alterations In The Albino Mice- Mus musculus

“…It is mainly used in the production of flammable acetylene gas for welding and fabrication works. Once in contact with moisture, CaC 2 releases acetylene, which also has fruit ripening characteristics similar to ethylene [1] according to the reaction: CaC 2 + 2H 2 O → Ca(OH) 2 + C 2 H 2 ………….i Naturally, fruits ripen by the action of a ripening hormone, during which process a wide spectrum of biochemical changes such as chlorophyll degradation and biosynthesis of carotenoids (which are antioxidants, immune system boosters and anti-cancer agents), anthocyanins (powerful antioxidants), essential oils, as well as flavour and aroma components takes place [2]. A similar action is induced by CaC 2 in artificial conditions.…”

Evaluation of the toxic potential of calcium carbide in the third instar larvae of transgenic Drosophila melanogaster (hsp70-lacZ)Bg9

“…As is evident from the analysis of CaC 2 also shows the presence of mercury, copper and aluminium. If such CaC 2 is use for the ripening of fruits or vegetable, these heavy metals may get absorbed in and may enter human body leading to various types of disease and cancer (Asif, 2012). Due to the hazardous nature of this compound it has been banned in many countries but still it is widely used in Asian countries for ripening fruit and vegetables (Rahman et al, 2008;Sinha, 2010).…”

“…CaC 2 may contain traces of arsenic and phosphorus hydride. The various health hazards of CaC 2 have been extensively reviewed by Siddiqui and Dhua (2010) and Asif (2012) in their review articles. In our present study the CaC 2 was procured from the fruit market of Aligarh (city), which they used to ripen fruits such as banana, mangoes, papaya etc and also some selected vegetables.…”

“…40-60 it is very much preferred against other chemicals like ethephon/ethrel or exposure of fruits to ethylene gas (Siddiqui and Dhua, 2010). A number of experiments have reported that carbide treatment enhances the ripening process of fruits and vegetables in both favourable and unfavourable conditions (Asif, 2012). CaC 2 may contain traces of arsenic and phosphorus hydride.…”

The first trimeric Galanthus nivalis agglutinin-related lectin of Orchidaceae was found in Dendrobium pendulum: purification, characterization, and effects of stress factors

“…H 2 O 2 , ABA, and UV which successfully induced expression of some lectins or other proteins were used in our experiment (Shakirova et al 2001;Kucera et al 2003;Babosha 2006). Acetylene was also tested since this gas has similar structure to ethylene and has been used for ripening of fruits (Asif 2012). Interestingly, DPA expression was greatly induced in response to all of them (Fig.…”