Posted by thylene plays a pivotal role in both chemical and agricultural sectors, yet its use is limited by stringent storage requirements and uncontrolled release. Cyclodextrin-metal-organic frameworks (CD-MOFs) present a promising solution as ethylene carriers, but the relationship between their structure and ethylene loading/release properties is not well understood. In this study, α-, β-, and γ-CD-MOFs were synthesized, and their structural and functional properties were systematically compared. Raman spectroscopy confirmed successful ethylene loading into all three CD-MOFs, with loading capacities of 3.68 ± 0.28%, 2.06 ± 0.22%, and 16.31 ± 1.33% (w/w), significantly higher than those of the corresponding CDs. Ethylene release kinetics revealed temperature- and humidity-dependent release, following a diffusion-controlled model described by Avrami’s equation. Among the CD-MOFs, α-CD-MOF exhibited the most controlled release, with only 50% ethylene released after 30 days at 25 °C. Molecular simulations indicated that γ-CD-MOF had the highest theoretical loading capacity due to its extensive porous structure, while α-CD-MOF displayed the strongest interaction with ethylene, as evidenced by the lowest adsorption energy. A ripening test on kiwifruit at 25 °C showed that 50 mg of α-, β-, and γ-CD-MOFs induced ripening to an edible state within 5, 6, and 2 days, respectively.
Hengping Xu, Zhenkun Xiao, Xianghao Yue, Xin Hu, Xinyi Huang, Yi Yang, Weirui Fang, Wen Qin, Mingrui Chen, Yaowen Liu (2026) Structural effects of cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks on ethylene adsorption and release behaviors and their ripening studies on kiwifruit. Food Hydrocolloids 174, 112342.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2025.112342.