Fruits off-gas ethylene as they ripen. Ethylene can also be used to accelerate the ripening process. Alternatively, certain chemicals can be used to impede the ripening process. In an effort to better control produce in growing and ripening chambers, agricultural producers monitor the ambient concentration of ethylene in the chamber, and/or add accelerants or inhibitors.

Shipping produce is a very time-sensitive operation due to the delicate and perishable nature of the product. Ripe fruit is delicate, and will likely be damaged if shipped too late in the process. Fruit that has not yet had enough time to ripen will not be appealing to customers.

Wasson-ECE configured a turn-key analyzer that measured the ambient air in fruit growing and ripening chambers. The analysis included the level of ethylene and ripening inhibitor. This analyzer allowed the producer to more accurately control the environment and subsequently yielded less waste.