Gas Sensor-Based Techniques for Detecting Ethylene (C2H4)

Ethylene (C2H4) is a crucial plant hormone that regulates fruit ripening and aging. As the only gaseous plant hormone, ethylene has been identified as a significant contributor to produce spoilage, causing economic losses of billions of dollars annually. To address this issue, the development of a biosensor that can accurately and specifically monitor ethylene levels as an indicator of production loss is of paramount importance to the fruit, flower, and vegetable industries, owing to its potential to mitigate losses and increase profits. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for affordable, reliable, and improved methods for rapid and accurate detection and quantification of ethylene. Consequently, the selection of appropriate sensor solutions should specify the requirements and contexts of individual applications. In this review, we explore the recent progress in chemical sensing technologies for ethylene detection and highlight the current research trends and future challenges in this field.