Abstract: An ethylene gas generating liquid composition for catalytic conversion to ethylene. Ethanol is the primary ingredient of the liquid composition but there is also present 1.0% to 15% methanol, 0.1% to 10% of an ester such as amyl acetate and 0.1% to 15% of an aliphatic alcohol such as isopropanol. This liquid composition has been found to maintain a high conversion efficiency for the catalyst and minimizes the production of by-products.

Abstract: A method of preventing frost damage to plants comprising applying oleaginous materials to the tissues thereof, which materials are absorbed by the tissues in amounts sufficient to prevent swelling thereof by ice crystal formation.

Abstract: A method of swelling the cell membranes of the cell surrounding the latex containing vessels in the underpeel of bananas to enable the latex vessels to be more resistant to temperatures within the range of 45.degree. to 55.degree. F. The method includes treating the exterior peel of the banana finger with an application of an oleaginous material having a viscosity of 10 to 10,000 centistokes, maintaining the underpeel at a temperature of above 55.degree. F during the application and holding the underpeel for a dwell period of at least 24 hours. The amount of the oleaginous material applied is sufficient to permit the oleaginous material to penetrate completely below the exterior peel and into the sites of the latex vessels' cell membranes to swell these membranes in order to prevent both a phase change in the cell membranes and an increase in the permeability of the liquid and solutes of the cells surrounding the latex vessels into the latex contained in these vessels.

Abstract: A portable olefin gas generating apparatus such as for generating ethylene to initiate the ripening of various climateric fruits. A reaction liquid is fed by gravity to a reaction chamber where it is catalytically converted into the desired olefin gas.The reaction liquid includes an alcohol such as ethanol, a denaturing agent such as a ketone, an ester of a monocarboxylic acid, gasoline or gum rubber and a catalyst activating agent such as an ester of monocarboxylic acid, a straight chain hydrocarbon or an aromatic hydrocarbon.To control the temperature of the gas generator apparatus an electronic temperature controller circuit is used in the reaction chamber.