Ethylene Production Research Articles

Enhancing multi-season wheat yield through plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria using consortium and individual isolate applications.

In recent decades, there has been a growing interest in harnessing plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a possible mechanism to mitigate the environmental impact of conventional agricultural practices and promote sustainable agricultural production. This study investigated the transferability of promising PGPR research from maize to another Poaceae cereal crop, wheat. This multi-seasonal study evaluated the wheat grain yield effect of Lysinibacillus sphaericus (T19), Paenibacillus alvei (T29) when applied i. individually, ii. as a consortium with Bacillus safensis (S7), and iii. at a 75% reduced fertilizer rate. Whole genome sequencing allowed annotation of genes linked to plant growth promotion, providing potential genomic explanations for the observed in-field findings. Application of the consortium compared to a commercial PGPR showed significantly increased wheat yield by 30.71%, and 25.03%, respectively, in season one, and 63.92% and 58.45%, respectively, under reduced fertilizer rates in season two. Individual application of T19 and T29 showed varying results, with T19 increasing wheat yield by 9.33% and 16.22% during seasons three and four but a substantial reduction (33.39%) during season five. T29 exhibited yield increases during season three (9.31%) and five (5.61%) but led to a significant reduction (21.15%) in season four. Genomic analysis unveiled a spectrum of plant growth-promoting genes including those associated with ammonification, phosphate solubilization, ethylene, siderophore, catalase, and superoxide dismutase production. These findings offer valuable insights into the mechanisms behind observed field results, with potential implications for advancing sustainable agriculture and crop productivity in evolving agricultural landscapes.

Fresh-cut watermelon: postharvest physiology, technology, and opportunities for quality improvement

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.) fruit is widely consumed for its sweetness, flavor, nutrition and health-promoting properties. It is commonly commercialized in fresh-cut format, satisfying consumer demand for freshness and convenience, but its shelf-life is limited. Despite the potential for growth in fresh-cut watermelon sales, the industry faces the challenge of maintaining quality attributes during storage. Fresh-cut processing induces a series of physiological and biochemical events that lead to alterations in sensory, nutritional and microbiological quality. A signal transduction cascade involving increases in respiration and ethylene production rates and elevated activities of cell wall and membrane-degrading enzymes compromise cellular and tissue integrity. These responses contribute to the development of quality defects like juice leakage, firmness loss and water-soaked appearance. They also drive the loss of bioactive compounds like lycopene, affecting flesh color and reducing nutritional value, ultimately culminating in consumer rejection, food losses and waste. Although great research progress has been achieved in the past decades, knowledge gaps about the physiological, biochemical and molecular bases of quality loss persist. This review article summarizes the advances in the study of physicochemical, microbiological, nutritional, and sensory changes linked to the deterioration of watermelon after processing and during storage. Different technological approaches for quality improvement and shelf-life extension are summarized: pre- and postharvest, physical, and chemical. We also discuss the advantages, disadvantages and challenges of these interventions and propose alternative directions for future research aiming to reduce qualitative and quantitative fresh-cut watermelon losses.

An assay for assessing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate malonyl (MACC) transferase (AMT) activity and its regulation by ethylene.

N-malonyl 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (MACC) is a major conjugate of the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) and may therefore play an important role in regulating ethylene production, as well as ethylene-independent ACC signalling. While the enzyme responsible for this derivatization, ACC malonyltransferase (AMT), has been studied in the past, its identity remains unknown. Methods to assay AMT activity are not well established, and no standardized assay has been described. We optimized an AMT activity assay and investigated the biological implications of AMT. This assay can be divided into three parts: total protein extraction, in vitro AMT activity assay, and MACC detection. For these three parts, different parameters were optimized and combined into an integrated and robust protocol. We used gas chromatography for the indirect detection of MACC, which was compared to a direct LC-MS approach, indicating that the GC-based method is a good alternative readily available to most labs studying ethylene. Next, we used this in vitro AMT activity assay to study the biological function of MACC formation. We observed an ontogenetic, tissue-specific and an ethylene-mediated feedback effect on AMT activity in tomato and Arabidopsis. The feedback of ethylene on AMT activity seems to be important to regulate ethylene production levels. The optimized and robust AMT activity assay presented here will enable other plant researchers to investigate the biochemistry of the ethylene biosynthesis pathway through ACC conjugation into MACC. Our AMT activity method was deployed both in tomato and Arabidopsis, and revealed that AMT activity is tightly controlled by ethylene itself in a tissue-specific way.

Abscission zone metabolism impacts pre- and post-harvest fruit quality: a very attaching story

The function of abscission zones (AZs) determines the timing of fleshy fruit abscission, with important consequences not only for the optimal fruit harvest, but also on the overall final fruit quality. In this context, chemical treatments are commonly used at different stages of fruit development to control fruit abscission, which can also have positive or negative effects on fruit quality. In the current review, we examine commonly used chemicals that affect the metabolic activity in the AZs of fleshy fruit, in addition to their effects on fruit quality characteristics. The main hormone metabolism and signaling in the AZ include that of ethylene, auxin, abscisic acid and jasmonates, and the molecular components that are involved are covered and discussed, in addition to how these hormones work together to regulate AZ activity and hence, affect fruit quality. We focus on studies that have provided new insight into possible protein complexes that function in the AZ, including multiple MADS-box transcription factors, with potential overlapping regulatory roles which exist between AZ development, ethylene production, AZ activation, fruit ripening and overall fruit quality. The view of the AZ as a cross roads where multiple pathways and signals are integrated is discussed.

High-Purity Ethylene Production from Ethane/Ethylene Mixtures at Ambient Conditions by Ethane-Selective Fluorine-Doped Activated Carbon Adsorbents.

Energy-efficient separation of light alkanes from alkenes is considered as one of the most important separations of the chemical industry today due to the high energy penalty associated with the applied conventional cryogenic technologies. This study introduces fluorine-doped activated carbon adsorbents, where elemental fluorine incorporation into the carbon matrix plays a unique role in achieving high ethane selectivity. This enhanced selectivity arises from specific interactions between surface-doped fluorine atoms and ethane molecules, coupled with porosity modulation. Consequently, an equilibrium ethane/ethylene selectivity of as high as 3.9 at 298 K and 1 bar was achieved. Furthermore, polymer-grade ethylene (purity >99.99%) with a productivity of 1.6 mmol/g was obtained in a breakthrough run at ambient conditions from a binary ethane/ethylene (1/9 v/v) mixture. The ethane selectivity of the fluorine-doped carbons was further elucidated through Monte Carlo simulations and density contours of the adsorbed components. In addition to the high ethane selectivity, the adsorbents exhibited a hydrophobic surface, high stability under moisture, and excellent regenerability over multiple adsorption-desorption cycles under both equilibrium and dynamic conditions, demonstrating a sustainable performance.

Surface-hydrogenated CrMnOx coupled with GaN nanowires for light-driven bioethanol dehydration to ethylene

Light-driven bioethanol dehydration offers attractive outlooks for the sustainable production of ethylene. Herein, a surface-hydrogenated CrMnOx is coupled with GaN nanowires (GaN@CMO-H) for light-driven ethanol dehydration to ethylene. Through combined experimental and computational investigations, a surface hydrogen-replenishment mechanism is proposed to disclose the ethanol dehydration pathway over GaN@CMO-H. Moreover, the surface-hydrogenated GaN@CMO-H can significantly lower the reaction energy barrier of the C2H5OH-to-C2H4 conversion by switching the rate-determining reaction step compared to both GaN and GaN@CMO. Consequently, the surface-hydrogenated GaN@CMO-H illustrates a considerable ethylene production activity of 1.78 mol·gcat−1·h−1 with a high turnover number of 94,769 mole ethylene per mole CrMnOx. This work illustrates a new route for sustainable ethylene production with the only use of bioethanol and sunlight beyond fossil fuels.

Highly loaded copper on mesoporous silica as catalysts for acetaldehyde production from ethanol: their synthesis, characteristics, and catalytic properties

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe present study investigates copper (Cu)/mesoporous catalysts supported on mesocellular foam silica (MCF‐Si) and Santa Barbara Amorphous‐15 (SBA‐15) for ethanol dehydrogenation, focusing on catalyst synthesis, performance, and stability. Cu catalysts were impregnated on the MCF‐Si and SBA‐15 supports with different pore morphologies – spherical and hexagonal structure, respectively – using the wetness impregnation method and incipient wetness impregnation (IW), with a Cu loading of 60 wt%. The synthesized catalysts underwent physical and chemical characterization via scanning electron microscopy combined with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray fluorescence, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy, N2 physisorption, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), carbon monoxide chemisorption, hydrogen temperature‐programmed reduction (H2 TPR), ammonia temperature‐programmed desorption, and carbon dioxide temperature‐programmed desorption.RESULTSIt was observed that copper impregnation of the support in either method did not alter the structural characteristics. Incipient wetness resulted in superior catalytic activity, particularly with Cu/MCF‐Si (IW), having pure ethanol conversion of 99.4% and acetaldehyde yield of 95.7%, attributed to effective Cu dispersion and a lower reduction temperature. Further investigation of time‐on‐stream (TOS) behavior revealed sustained ethanol conversion rates exceeding 95% with a 10% ethanol feed. However, catalyst deactivation due to coke formation occurred with 100% ethanol, highlighting the importance of understanding catalyst stability and deactivation mechanisms.CONCLUSIONIncipient wetness resulted in superior performance compared to wetness impregnation, with Cu/MCF‐Si (IW) achieving exceptional ethanol conversion rates due to effective Cu dispersion and a lower reduction temperature. TOS testing revealed sustained ethanol conversion; however, catalyst deactivation was observed with pure ethanol feed due to carbon deposition (coke formation). Characterization techniques, including XRD, TGA, and H2 TPR analyses, provided valuable insights into the deactivation processes, highlighting the need for strategies to mitigate oxidation‐induced deactivation. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Selective hydrogenation of anisole over Pt/SBA-15 catalysts: Effect of Pt loading on catalytic efficiency

Abstract Pt catalysts (0.1–2 wt.% of platinum) supported on SBA-15 were used for the selective hydrogenation of the aromatic ring of anisole with the formation of cyclohexyl methyl ether product. The catalysts were characterized by N2 physisorption, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and scanning and transmission electron microscopies. The reaction progress and the impact of Pt loading in the catalysts were analyzed by gas chromatography. All the catalysts demonstrated high catalytic activity for the hydrogenation of anisole to cyclohexyl methyl ether (CME), reaching 90–98% anisole conversion at 6-h reaction time with near 90% selectivity to CME (280 °C, 6.9 MPa total pressure). An increase in the Pt content led to a slight decrease in the selectivity to CME due to its transformation to cyclohexane. 1%Pt/SBA-15 catalyst was tested in three repeated catalytic cycles showing high stability and preservation of Pt nanoparticle dispersion. Graphical abstract

Assessing decarbonization strategies and industrial symbiosis in the chemical and waste‐to‐energy sector

AbstractSwiss waste‐to‐energy (WtE) plants are required to capture their CO2 emissions by 2050 to meet the net‐zero climate target, with options for underground storage (carbon capture and storage [CCS]) or utilization (carbon capture and utilization [CCU]). This opens up a synergistic opportunity for the petrochemical industry to utilize the captured CO2 as a feedstock, potentially helping both sectors reduce their carbon footprints. We conducted a prospective carbon footprint analysis on various net‐zero strategies within the Swiss WtE plants (CCU and CCS) and German ethylene production (CO2‐based ethylene, bio‐ethylene, and fossil ethylene with CCS), including scenarios of industrial symbiosis. While focusing on these two countries, the findings offer valuable insights applicable to similar sectors in other regions. All assessed pathways reduce the carbon footprint by at least 60% relative to the reference scenario (no carbon capture in WtE plants and fossil ethylene production). Bio‐ethylene and direct air capture–based ethylene combined with CCS in WtE exhibit the lowest climate change impacts, achieving net negative emissions when powered by renewable electricity. However, these pathways all come with trade‐offs: The availability of sustainable biomass and low‐carbon electricity is limited, and future resource competition may delimit the penetration of these technology combinations. CCS in ethylene production plants could reduce emissions while utilizing existing infrastructure but does not eliminate emissions from fossil fuel extraction. Ethylene produced with CO2 from WtE plants could be a viable interim solution until CCS barriers are overcome.

Melatonin suppresses ethylene biosynthesis by inhibiting transcription factor MdREM10 during apple fruit ripening

Abstract Ethylene, a plant hormone, is essential for apple (Malus domestica) ripening. The precise molecular mechanism by which melatonin (MT) influences ethylene biosynthesis during apple fruit ripening remains unclear. This study found that exogenous MT treatment inhibited ethylene production and postponed apple fruit ripening. The endogenous MT content of apple fruits exhibited an inverse correlation with ethylene production during fruit ripening, suggesting that MT functions as a ripening suppressor in apple fruits. MT treatment suppressed the expression of key ethylene biosynthesis genes, MdACS1 and MdACO1, during apple fruit ripening. MT treatment decreased the expression levels of transcription factors MdREM10 and MdZF32. MdREM10 binds to the MdERF3 promoter, enhancing its expression and subsequently promoting MdACS1 transcription. Furthermore, MdREM10 directly bound to the MdZF32 promoter, promoting its transcription. MdZF32 directly bound to the MdACO1 promoter, inducing its expression. The findings suggested that MT suppresses ethylene biosynthesis and fruit ripening by inhibiting MdREM10, which indirectly promotes MdACS1 transcription via MdERF3 upregulation, and MdACO1 transcription via MdZF32 upregulation.

Optimizing Ethylene Production through Enhanced Monomolecular β-Scission in Confined Catalytic Cracking of Olefin

Optimizing Ethylene Production through Enhanced Monomolecular β-Scission in Confined Catalytic Cracking of Olefin

Thidiazuron as a defoliant to facilitate mechanical harvesting in cotton: A comprehensive review

Cotton is primarily cultivated for its commercial fiber, which plays a significant role in India’s agro-industrial sector. It is one of the primary raw materials for producing feed, oil, fiber, and biofuel. Currently, farmers in India widely employ machine harvesters to harvest cotton. However, excessive leaf vegetation poses challenges in boll picking, adversely affecting fiber quality and reducing mechanical harvesting efficiency. Various chemical defoliants are applied to remove leaves before harvesting to address this issue. These defoliants promote leaf shedding, minimize debris in the cotton, and enhance boll opening and picking efficiency. Thidiazuron is a potent hormonal defoliant used in cotton to induce defoliation by increasing ethylene production while inhibiting the synthesis and transport of auxins. Notably, it interferes with the crosstalk between the phytohormones, such as cytokinin and ethylene, which regulates cotton defoliation. The method and timing of defoliant application are crucial for improving cotton harvesting efficiency. This review aims to provide a clear understanding of thidiazuron’s application in synchronizing harvests, ultimately supporting the mechanization of cotton harvesting.

Protein phosphatase PP2C2 dephosphorylates transcription factor ZAT5 and modulates tomato fruit ripening.

Although C2H2 zinc finger transcription factors are important in plant growth, development, and stress resistance, their specific roles in fruit ripening have been less explored. Here, we demonstrate that the C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor 5 (SlZAT5) regulates fruit ripening in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Overexpression of SlZAT5 delayed ripening, while its knockout accelerated it, confirming its role as a negative regulator. SlZAT5 functions as a transcriptional repressor by directly inhibiting ripening-related genes, including SlACS4, SlPL8, and SlGRAS38, thereby delaying ripening. Furthermore, SlZAT5 interacts with the type 2C protein phosphatase SlPP2C2, which regulates the repressor activity of SlZAT5 by dephosphorylating SlZAT5 at Ser-65. This interaction is crucial in modulating ethylene production, thereby influencing the ripening process. These findings reveal a regulatory function of SlZAT5 in tomato fruit development, offering insights into the SlZAT5-SlPP2C2 module and potential targets for genetic modification to improve fruit quality and extend fruit shelf life.

Photocatalytic Oxidative Coupling of Methane to Ethane Using CO2 as a Soft Oxidant over the Au/TiO2−Vo Nanosheets

AbstractPhotocatalytic oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) offers an appealing route for converting greenhouse gas into valuable C2 hydrocarbons. However, O2, as the most commonly used oxidant, tends to result in inevitable overoxidation and waste of methane feedstock. Herein, we first report a photocatalytic OCM using CO2 as a soft oxidant for C2H6 production under mild conditions, where an efficient photocatalyst with unique interface sites is designed and constructed to facilitate CO2 adsorption and activation, while concurrently boosting CH4 dissociation. As a prototype, the Au quantum dots anchored on oxygen‐deficient TiO2 nanosheets are fabricated, where the Au−Vo−Ti interface sites for CO2 adsorption and activation are collectively disclosed by in situ Kelvin probe force microscopy, quasi in situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. Compared with single metal site, the Au−Vo−Ti interface sites exhibit the lower CO2 adsorption energy and decrease the energy barrier of the *CO2 hydrogenation step from 1.05 to 0.77 eV via Au−C and Ti−O dual‐site bonding. The adsorbed CO2 on the photocatalyst reduces the energy barrier of *CH4 dissociation to *CH3 from 2.13 to 1.59 eV, contributing to CH4 oxidation. Additionally, in situ Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy unveils the Au site facilitates ethane production by engaging in *CH3−Au interaction and accelerating CH3−CH3 coupling. Thus, the photocatalyst demonstrates a high C2H6 evolution rate of 2.60 mmol g−1 h−1 for OCM using CO2 as the soft oxidant, surpassing most of previously reported photocatalysts regardless of OCM and nonoxidative coupling of methane. This work highlights the importance of soft oxidants for improving oxidation reaction efficiency and provides atomic scale insight into the design of photocatalysts for CH4 conversion.

Uticaj tretmana N, Ca, MAP I 1-mcp na interakciju etilena I iad tokom skladištenja I čuvanja plodova kajsije na sobnoj temperaturi

Aim of this study is to investigate the interrelation between ethylene production, DA index (I AD), and postharvest treatments in four apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) cultivars: 'Buda', 'NS Kasnocvetna', 'NS Rodna', and 'NS6'. Apricots were harvested with I AD values between 0.41-0.80, stored at 1 °C for 15 days, followed by 3 days of shelf life at room temperature. Ethylene production and I AD were measured at harvest, after cold storage, and after shelf life. Preharvest treatments included nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca), while postharvest treatments included modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and 1-methylcyclopropene (MCP). Results showed cultivar-specific ethylene responses and I AD , with 'Buda' exhibited the most rapid decline of I AD and highest ethylene levels, and 'NS6' showing a lower decrease of I AD , especially under MAP and Ca treatments. Postharvest treatments effectively reduced a decrease of I AD for all tested cultivars. The findings highlight the need for cultivar-specific calibration of the I AD index to optimize the management of apricots at a given ripeness stage, thereby maintaining their overall quality and storage capability.

Effect of 1-methylcyclopropene, potassium permanganate and silica gel on quality of cantaloupe fruits and carrot roots during mixed load

This study was carried out during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, to study the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), potassium permanganate (KMnO4), silica gel, 1-MCP + silica gel and KMnO4 + silica gel compared with control treatment on physical and chemical changes which may occur during mixed load of cantaloupe fruits cv. Primal Galia type and carrot roots cv. Laguna throughout storage at 5°C and 90-95 % relative humidity for 28 days. The results indicated that all treatments were superior to control treatment in maintaining quality attributes and extending the storability of fruits and roots. However, KMnO4 + silica gel was the most effective treatment in reducing weight loss, color change, O2 consumption, CO2 and ethylene production and maintaining the firmness and total soluble solids of fruits and roots. In addition, delaying the ripening of cantaloupe fruits, reducing the increase of total carotenoid content of fruits, reducing isocoumarin accumulation and gave carrot roots without any bitterness until the end of the storage period. Also, gave an excellent appearance and did not exhibit any changes in the appearance of fruits and roots until the end of the storage period. On the other hand, control treatment gave an unsalable appearance of fruits and roots at the end of storage.

Trends in industrial ethylene production: Innovation in process and catalyst design

Trends in industrial ethylene production: Innovation in process and catalyst design

Multiscale analysis of the M1 MoVNbTeO catalyst for ethylene production via selective ethane oxidation: From atomistic calculations to the industrial reactor

Multiscale analysis of the M1 MoVNbTeO catalyst for ethylene production via selective ethane oxidation: From atomistic calculations to the industrial reactor

Maximizing Ethylene Production Yield by Modifying the Methanol to Olefin Process with the Addition of a Distillation Tower

Ethylene is a feedstock that produces polyethene and other industrial chemicals such as ethylene oxide. The methanol-to-olefins process is a technology designed to transform methanol into light olefins like ethylene and propylene, which are crucial raw materials in the petrochemical industry. The first reaction involves the production of dimethyl ether and water from methanol. The second reaction consists of the conversion of dimethyl ether to ethylene and water. This paper will explain how to maximize ethylene production yield by modifying the methanol to olefin process. The process modification was carried out by adding a distillation tower. Based on process modifications increased the ethylene quantity from 21,070 tons/year to 179,400 tons/year. The case study results indicate an increasing yield of the product exiting. Copyright © 2024 by Authors, Published by Universitas Diponegoro and BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

Energy Optimization of Dimethyl Ether (DME) Production Process from Methanol Dehydration

The increasing demand for sustainable and clean alternative fuels has driven the focus on dimethyl ether (DME), an environmentally friendly and non-toxic chemical with high potential as a fuel and industrial solvent. DME can be produced from various raw materials such as natural gas, methanol, biomass, and coal. This study investigates the optimization of DME production from methanol dehydration using a fixed-bed plug flow reactor and γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst, emphasizing energy efficiency improvements. Modifications were implemented in the Aspen HYSYS simulation by replacing the conventional heater with heat exchanger and utilizing heat generated during cooling process for another heating process. The results demonstrated a significant reduction 65.8 % in net energy consumption from 8.54×106 kJ/h to 2.92×106 kJ/h, validating the effectiveness of these modifications by leveraging Aspen HYSYS simulations, the proposed design achieved high process efficiency while maintaining the target DME purity of 99.95 % produced. This research highlights the potential of heat integration strategies to enhance the economic and environmental performance of DME production processes. Copyright © 2024 by Authors, Published by Universitas Diponegoro and BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).