Page last updated: 2024-11-05

ethephon

Description Research Excerpts Clinical Trials Roles Classes Pathways Study Profile Bioassays Related Drugs Related Conditions Protein Interactions Research Growth Market Indicators

Description

Ethephon, also known as 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid, is a plant growth regulator widely used in agriculture. It is a liquid formulation that is applied to plants, where it is broken down to release ethylene, a naturally occurring plant hormone. Ethephon's synthesis involves the reaction of phosphorous trichloride with ethylene oxide, followed by hydrolysis. Upon application, ethephon promotes fruit ripening, defoliation, flower bud induction, and other plant growth processes by increasing ethylene production. The compound's importance lies in its ability to control plant growth and development, enhance crop yields, and facilitate harvesting. Research on ethephon focuses on understanding its mechanisms of action, optimizing its application rates, and exploring potential environmental impacts. Its effectiveness and versatility make it a valuable tool in modern agriculture, contributing to increased crop productivity and efficient management of plant growth.'

(2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid: structure in first source [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]

(2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid : A phosphonic acid compound having a 2-chloroethyl substituent attached to the P-atom. [Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI), Hastings J, Owen G, Dekker A, Ennis M, Kale N, Muthukrishnan V, Turner S, Swainston N, Mendes P, Steinbeck C. (2016). ChEBI in 2016: Improved services and an expanding collection of metabolites. Nucleic Acids Res]

Cross-References

ID SourceID
PubMed CID27982
CHEMBL ID1895474
CHEBI ID52741
SCHEMBL ID37574
MeSH IDM0046387

Synonyms (90)

Synonym
AKOS009031487
ethepon
cepha
terpal
cepha 10ls
florel plant growth
florel
ethephon [ansi]
g 996
ethrel c
cerone
hsdb 2618
2-chloraethyl-phosphonsaeure [german]
einecs 240-718-3
floridex
camposan
roll-fruct
chipco florel pro
chloroethylphosphonic acid
acide chloro-2-ethyl-phosphonique [french]
gagro
epa pesticide chemical code 099801
bromeflor
ethefon
tomathrel
kamposan
flordimex
etheverse
2-cepa
amchem 68-250
chlorethephon
ethrel
cepa
2-chloroethanephosphonic acid
2-chloroethylphosphonic acid
brn 1751208
ethel
caswell no. 426a
prep
bromoflor
(2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid
phosphonic acid, (2-chloroethyl)-
CEP ,
ethephon, >=96% (titration)
NCGC00163720-03
NCGC00163720-01
NCGC00163720-02
16672-87-0
ethephon
NCGC00163720-04
chloroethyl)phosphonic acid
CHEBI:52741 ,
acide chloro-2-ethyl-phosphonique
2-chloraethyl-phosphonsaeure
NCGC00163720-05
NCGC00163720-06
C18399
xu5r5vq87s ,
unii-xu5r5vq87s
cas-16672-87-0
dtxsid7024085 ,
tox21_301134
NCGC00255033-01
dtxcid804085
NCGC00259667-01
tox21_202118
arvest
2-(chloroethyl) phosphonic acid-d4
FT-0611951
ethephon [mi]
ethephon [hsdb]
(p)-(2-chloroethyl)phosphonic acid
SCHEMBL37574
CHEMBL1895474
UDPGUMQDCGORJQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
ethrel-r (salt/mix)
ethrel-e
2-chloroethyl phosphoric acid
2-cloroethylphosphonic acid
mfcd00002142
ethephon, pestanal(r), analytical standard
J-010306
ethephon 100 microg/ml in acetonitrile
Q209355
T70393
(2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid (>85per cent)
A855582
EN300-19733
CS-0197818
HY-W131845

Research Excerpts

Overview

Ethephon is an ethylene-releasing plant growth regulator (PGR) that can delay the bloom time in Prunus. This reduces the risk of spring frost, which is exacerbated by global climate change.

ExcerptReferenceRelevance
"Ethephon (ET) is an ethylene-releasing plant growth regulator (PGR) that can delay the bloom time in Prunus, thus reducing the risk of spring frost, which is exacerbated by global climate change. "( Fall Applications of Ethephon Modulates Gene Networks Controlling Bud Development during Dormancy in Peach (
Haak, DC; Islam, MT; Laliberte, S; Liu, J; Sherif, SM, 2022
)
2.48
"Ethephon is an organophosphorus plant growth regulator used to accelerate the ripening process and decrease the duration of cultivation. "( Aged garlic extract rescues ethephon-induced kidney damage by modulating oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and histopathological changes in rats.
Albrakati, A, 2021
)
2.36

Actions

Ethephon elicited an increase in the [Ca(2+)](c) of tobacco suspension cells, as visualized by the Ca(2+)-sensitive probe Fluo-3.

ExcerptReferenceRelevance
"Ethephon could enhance NK cell activity in male mice."( The effect of ethephon on immune system in male offspring of mice.
Fu, J; Hao, W; Jin, H; Peng, C; Ren, Z; Shang, L; Tang, Q; Wang, S; Wei, X, 2017
)
1.54
"Ethephon elicited an increase in the [Ca(2+)](c) of tobacco suspension cells, as visualized by the Ca(2+)-sensitive probe Fluo-3 and confocal microscopy."( Ethylene activates a plasma membrane Ca(2+)-permeable channel in tobacco suspension cells.
Tian, QY; Zhang, WH; Zhao, MG, 2007
)
1.06

Treatment

Ethephon seeds-soaking treatment has been proved to effectively improve drought tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass seedlings. Treatment enhanced pectinase activity and reduced DF in all the three olive AZs.

ExcerptReferenceRelevance
"Ethephon seeds-soaking treatment has been proved to effectively improve the drought tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass seedlings."( Transcriptome analysis of Kentucky bluegrass subject to drought and ethephon treatment.
Gao, Y; Han, L; Xu, L; Zhang, J, 2021
)
1.58
"Ethephon treatment enhanced pectinase activity and reduced DF in all the three olive AZs."( Ethephon induced oxidative stress in the olive leaf abscission zone enables development of a selective abscission compound.
Avidan, B; Ben Sasson, S; Ben-Ari, G; Birger, R; Biton, I; Burstein, C; Doron-Faigenboim, A; Goldental-Cohen, S; Irihomovitch, V; Lavee, S; Many, Y; Meir, S; Mugira, Y; Philosoph-Hadas, S; Sadeh, A; Schneider, D; Zemach, H, 2017
)
2.62
"Ethephon treatment also increased salicylic acid in systemic leaves."( Roles of ethylene and jasmonic acid in systemic induced defense in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) against Helicoverpa zea.
De Moraes, CM; Felton, GW; Peiffer, M; Tian, D, 2014
)
1.12
"Ethephon treatment increased the frequency of sticking of mitochondria to the nuclear envelope or chloroplasts and peroxisomes."( Death of mitochondria during programmed cell death of leaf mesophyll cells.
Pāvila, V; Selga, M; Selga, T, 2005
)
1.05
"Ethephon treatments significantly delayed flowering and have potential to be used in commercial production schemes of summer-to-autumn flowering chrysanthemum in outdoor conditions."( Chemical control of plant habitus in summer-to-autumn flowering chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora).
Blindeman, L; Van Labeke, MC, 2007
)
1.06

Toxicity

ExcerptReferenceRelevance
" We recommend costus to be included in diet for its valuable effects, and also producers and consumers should become more aware about the toxic effects of ethephon."( Modulatory effects of Saussurea lappa root aqueous extract against ethephon-induced kidney toxicity in male rats.
Abdallah, A; El-Atrsh, A; Mansour, M; Tousson, E, 2019
)
0.95

Bioavailability

ExcerptReferenceRelevance
" Bioavailability of phenolics, flavonoids and FRAP activity were increased significantly (p < 0."( Total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity following simulated gastro-intestinal digestion and dialysis of banana (Musa acuminata, AAB) as affected by induced ripening agents.
Maduwanthi, SDT; Marapana, RAUJ, 2021
)
0.62
" The sustained-release ethylene improves its bioavailability and can control the fruit-ripening on-demand."( Convenient, nondestructive monitoring and sustained-release of ethephon/chitosan film for on-demand of fruit ripening.
Deng, Y; Fu, L; Li, X; Liang, Y; Lin, B; Lin, M; Tang, X; Xu, C; Yao, Y, 2022
)
0.96

Dosage Studied

ExcerptRelevanceReference
" Our synthetic ethylene gave the same dose-response curve in Arabidopsis as gaseous ethylene."( Preparation of ethylene gas and comparison of ethylene responses induced by ethylene, ACC, and ethephon.
Wen, CK; Zhang, W, 2010
)
0.58
" It should be emphasized that exposure to ethephon during the in utero stage and lactation stage still could damage the immune function of animal in the period before fully mature even in the dosage that could not influence the immune function of adult animal."( The effect of ethephon on immune system in male offspring of mice.
Fu, J; Hao, W; Jin, H; Peng, C; Ren, Z; Shang, L; Tang, Q; Wang, S; Wei, X, 2017
)
1.08
[information is derived through text-mining from research data collected from National Library of Medicine (NLM), extracted Dec-2023]

Roles (1)

RoleDescription
plant growth regulatorA chemical, natural or artificial, that can affect the rate of growth of a plant.
[role information is derived from Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI), Hastings J, Owen G, Dekker A, Ennis M, Kale N, Muthukrishnan V, Turner S, Swainston N, Mendes P, Steinbeck C. (2016). ChEBI in 2016: Improved services and an expanding collection of metabolites. Nucleic Acids Res]

Drug Classes (1)

ClassDescription
phosphonic acidsHP(=O)(OH)2 (phosphonic acid) and its P-substituted derivatives.
[compound class information is derived from Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI), Hastings J, Owen G, Dekker A, Ennis M, Kale N, Muthukrishnan V, Turner S, Swainston N, Mendes P, Steinbeck C. (2016). ChEBI in 2016: Improved services and an expanding collection of metabolites. Nucleic Acids Res]

Protein Targets (10)

Potency Measurements

ProteinTaxonomyMeasurementAverage (µ)Min (ref.)Avg (ref.)Max (ref.)Bioassay(s)
acetylcholinesteraseHomo sapiens (human)Potency40.20860.002541.796015,848.9004AID1347395
hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha subunitHomo sapiens (human)Potency0.19413.189029.884159.4836AID1224846
GLI family zinc finger 3Homo sapiens (human)Potency38.41390.000714.592883.7951AID1259369
glucocorticoid receptor [Homo sapiens]Homo sapiens (human)Potency8.86650.000214.376460.0339AID720692
retinoic acid nuclear receptor alpha variant 1Homo sapiens (human)Potency34.92520.003041.611522,387.1992AID1159552; AID1159553
retinoid X nuclear receptor alphaHomo sapiens (human)Potency0.02000.000817.505159.3239AID588544
estrogen-related nuclear receptor alphaHomo sapiens (human)Potency49.44790.001530.607315,848.9004AID1224841
v-jun sarcoma virus 17 oncogene homolog (avian)Homo sapiens (human)Potency31.45970.057821.109761.2679AID1159526
thyroid hormone receptor beta isoform aHomo sapiens (human)Potency0.00250.010039.53711,122.0200AID588545
nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 isoform 1Homo sapiens (human)Potency1,122.02000.000627.21521,122.0200AID651741
[prepared from compound, protein, and bioassay information from National Library of Medicine (NLM), extracted Dec-2023]

Bioassays (17)

Assay IDTitleYearJournalArticle
AID1091208Induction of trans-resveratrol accumulation in Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon foliar cuttings assessed per dry weight of plant at 0.5 g/L measured after 24 to 72 hr post dose by fluorimetry2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
AID1091210Fungicidal activity against Erysiphe necator infected 72 hr compound pre-treated grapevine leaf disks assessed as reduction in fungal colonization measured 14 days post fungal inoculation2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
AID1100824Induction of disease resistance in Oryza sativa Nipponbare (rice) assessed as increase in sakuranetin level in press-injured leaves at 10 mM after 48 hr by HPLC-MS-MS analysis2000Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry, Mar, Volume: 64, Issue:3
Methionine-induced phytoalexin production in rice leaves.
AID1091216Increase in phenylalanine acidic class IV chitinase gene expression in Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon foliar cuttings at 0.5 g/L measured after 6 hr post dose by RTq-PCR method relative to untreated control2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
AID1091206Induction of delta-viniferin accumulation in Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon foliar cuttings assessed per dry weight of plant at 0.5 g/L measured after 24 hr post dose by fluorimetry2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
AID1091215Increase in phenylalanine serine protease inhibitor gene expression in Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon foliar cuttings at 0.5 g/L measured after 12 to 72 hr post dose by RTq-PCR method relative to untreated control2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
AID1091214Increase in beta-1,3- glucanase gene expression in Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon foliar cuttings at 0.5 g/L measured after 12 to 24 hr post dose by RTq-PCR method relative to untreated control2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
AID1091211Induction of trans-stilbenes in Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon foliar cuttings at 0.5 g/L measured after 20 to 80 hr post dose by fluorimetry2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
AID1091213Increase in polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein gene expression in Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon foliar cuttings at 0.5 g/L measured after 12 to 24 hr post dose by RTq-PCR method relative to untreated control2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
AID1091212Fungicidal activity against Erysiphe necator infected 72 hr compound pre-treated grapevine foliar cuttings assessed as reduction in powdery mildew infection measured 14 days post fungal inoculation2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
AID1091218Increase in phenylalanine ammonia lyase gene expression in Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon foliar cuttings at 0.5 g/L measured after 6 hr post dose by RTq-PCR method relative to untreated control2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
AID1091207Induction of epsilon-viniferin accumulation in Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon foliar cuttings assessed per dry weight of plant at 0.5 g/L measured after 24 hr post dose by fluorimetry2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
AID1100822Induction of disease resistance in Oryza sativa Nipponbare (rice) assessed as increase in momilactone level in press-injured leaves at 10 mM after 48 hr by HPLC-MS-MS analysis2000Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry, Mar, Volume: 64, Issue:3
Methionine-induced phytoalexin production in rice leaves.
AID1091217Increase in phenylalanine stilbene synthase gene expression in Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon foliar cuttings at 0.5 g/L measured after 6 hr post dose by RTq-PCR method relative to untreated control2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
AID1091205Induction of delta-viniferin accumulation in Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon foliar cuttings assessed per dry weight of plant at 0.5 g/L measured after 72 hr post dose by fluorimetry2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
AID1091209Induction of trans-piceid accumulation in Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon foliar cuttings assessed per dry weight of plant at 0.5 g/L measured after 72 hr post dose by fluorimetry2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
AID1091204Induction of pterostilbene accumulation in Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon foliar cuttings assessed per dry weight of plant at 0.5 g/L measured after 24 to 72 hr post dose by fluorimetry2008Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jul-23, Volume: 56, Issue:14
Ethephon elicits protection against Erysiphe necator in grapevine.
[information is prepared from bioassay data collected from National Library of Medicine (NLM), extracted Dec-2023]

Research

Studies (307)

TimeframeStudies, This Drug (%)All Drugs %
pre-199025 (8.14)18.7374
1990's20 (6.51)18.2507
2000's86 (28.01)29.6817
2010's127 (41.37)24.3611
2020's49 (15.96)2.80
[information is prepared from research data collected from National Library of Medicine (NLM), extracted Dec-2023]

Market Indicators

Research Demand Index: 46.67

According to the monthly volume, diversity, and competition of internet searches for this compound, as well the volume and growth of publications, there is estimated to be strong demand-to-supply ratio for research on this compound.

MetricThis Compound (vs All)
Research Demand Index46.67 (24.57)
Research Supply Index5.77 (2.92)
Research Growth Index4.96 (4.65)
Search Engine Demand Index110.60 (26.88)
Search Engine Supply Index3.00 (0.95)

This Compound (46.67)

All Compounds (24.57)

Study Types

Publication TypeThis drug (%)All Drugs (%)
Trials0 (0.00%)5.53%
Reviews0 (0.00%)6.00%
Case Studies0 (0.00%)4.05%
Observational0 (0.00%)0.25%
Other320 (100.00%)84.16%
[information is prepared from research data collected from National Library of Medicine (NLM), extracted Dec-2023]