How did watermelons be ripened? Revealing the science and controversy behind the secret
Recently, the topic of fruit ripening has once again become the focus of hot discussion across the Internet, especially the ripening technology of the popular summer fruit watermelon has triggered widespread discussion. This article will combine hot data and scientific analysis over the past 10 days to reveal the common methods of watermelon ripening and its potential impact.
1. Statistics on the topic of popular fruit ripening across the entire network
| Keywords | Searches (10,000 times) | Discussion Platform | Popularity index |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watermelon ripens | 28.5 | Weibo/Tiktok | ★★★★☆ |
| Ethylene hazards | 15.2 | Zhihu/B site | ★★★☆☆ |
| Natural mature distinction | 32.1 | Xiaohongshu/Quick Shou | ★★★★★ |
2. Three common ways to ripen watermelon
1.Ethylene gas ripening method: The most commonly used industrial ripening technology accelerates fruit ripening by controlling ethylene concentration (usually 100-150ppm). In professional cold storage, watermelon can be ripened in 24-48 hours in an ethylene environment.
2.Ethylene solution treatment: Commonly used methods for small farmers: dilute 40% ethylene solution by 1000-2000 times and spray it. This method is low in cost but has the risk of drug residues. Recently, multiple popular science accounts have published testing tutorials.
| Method of ripening | Effective time | Cost (yuan/ton) | Security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethylene gas | 1-2 days | 80-120 | Higher |
| Ethylene solution | 3-5 days | 20-40 | Lower |
| Temperature control ripening | 5-7 days | 50-80 | Highest |
3.Temperature control method: Place watermelon in an environment of 25-28°C to promote natural maturity by increasing the metabolic rate. This method is safest but takes longer and is commonly found in high-end organic farms.
3. How to distinguish ripening watermelons? Experts give 4 characteristics
According to popular science content published by agricultural experts on short video platforms, ripening watermelons usually show the following characteristics:
-Blurred stripes: Naturally mature watermelon pattern is clear and shiny
-Dull sound: The sound is more dull than the natural ones
-White grains: Even if the flesh turns red, the grains remain white
-Uneven sweetness: The sweetness of the same watermelon is obvious
4. Disputes and regulatory status
Recently, a well-known evaluation blogger released a video of "Watermelon pesticide residue testing" has caused heated discussion, and the video shows that some commercially available watermelon ethylene residues have exceeded the standard. At present, the maximum residual limit (MRL) standard for ethylene-resistance in my country is 2mg/kg, but actual supervision is still difficult.
| area | Sampling pass rate | Main issues |
|---|---|---|
| East China | 92.3% | Ethylene exceeds the standard |
| South China | 88.7% | Mixed various ripening agents |
| North China | 95.1% | False organic certification |
5. Consumer response suggestions
1. Choose a formal channel to purchase and retain the purchase voucher
2. Pay attention to checking the agricultural product testing report when purchasing
3. Soak in clean water for 15 minutes before eating to remove some surface residues.
4. Try to buy seasonal local watermelons in summer to reduce the possibility of long-distance transportation ripening.
Experts remind that the rational use of ripening technology itself complies with agricultural specifications, but excessive use of chemical ripening agents does have health risks. Consumers do not need to panic excessively, but they should improve their discernment ability and promote the standardized development of the industry.
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