• We only sell our Ethy-Gen^® II and ethylene generators to businesses engaged in the commercial application of ethylene for fruit ripening
• We are often asked to sell small quantities of ethylene for science experiments; we do not do this, as it is dangerous (see next point) and unecessary (if you use the apple method below).
• Ethylene is explosive and dangerous if misused and therefore not readily available for home / residential use. For that reason, we do not recommend home application of ethylene! Rather, we suggest the procedure below.

Here is a suggested process for testing the effect of ethylene on fruit:

• Obtain one or two hands (bunches) of green bananas that have not had ethylene applied to them. Typically, these cannot be purchased at a local grocer; one must contact a produce company or banana distributor that ripens bananas.
• Also obtain several apples. These are high ethylene producers.
• Place one - two apples in a sealed container with a hand of bananas. Place the other hand of bananas in a separate sealed container with NO apples.
• Place both containers in an area that is 60 - 72°F (room temperature is sufficient).
• Do not open the containers for 24 hours. After 24 hours and every 24 hours thereafter, remove the lids of the containers to vent. This will replinish the O₂ and release the CO₂.
• Monitor the ripening of the fruit, comparing color changes in the bananas. Refer to our Banana Ripening and Color Chart. Also follow the banana ripening tips found on our website.
• Note: if it is desired to measure the ethylene levels that the apples produce (and lack of ethylene in the control container), this can easily be done with our Air Testing System and Ethylene Detection Tubes.

Students are encouraged to visit the following links for information:
Banana Ripening Tips
Ethylene Facts & FAQ's