Advanced Development of a Low-Cost, Handheld Electrochemical Ethylene Monitor

Ethylene is a plant hormone that is involved in regulating various aspects of plant growth and development such as seed dormancy, seedling growth, root and stem thickening, promotion of flowering, and promotion of fruit ripening and spoilage. Measurement of ethylene is important for developing a basic understanding of these processes, as well as for utilization in advanced agricultural practices. Ethylene plays a key role in the production and storage of agricultural products. Giner, Inc. will continue the development of an advanced sensor to sensitively and selectively detect ethylene for agricultural applications. The product will be a small, cost-effective, rugged instrument with high selectivity and sensitivity, low detection limit and rapid response. This would allow ethylene to be measured and potentially regulated in a variety of agricultural settings where it is not currently practical to do so. The current standard analytical technique (gas chromatography) requires expensive instrumentation (>$15,000) that is not readily portable and requires highly trained personnel for operation. The overall purpose of the project is to contribute to higher agricultural yields, to improve quality and cost of food and other plant products, and to enhance U.S. commercial competitiveness in global import and export of agricultural products.