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Old 08-06-2006, 03:37 PM posted to sci.bio.food-science,sci.chem,rec.gardens.edible
Radium
 
Posts: n/a
Default Why Do Ripe Fruits Smell Bad?


Allan Adler wrote:
"Radium" writes:

I notice that many fruit emit foul odors when ripe. What chemicals are
responisble for this?


There was an article in Natural History, I think, in the last year or so
on the evolutionary role of rotting fruit in human development.


They
presented the so-called drunken monkey theory and mentioned that some
of the rotting fruit contains alcohol and the monkeys are attracted to
it. Check it out.


It can't be alcohol. I like the smell of alcohol.

--
Ignorantly,
Allan Adler
* Disclaimer: I am a guest and *not* a member of the MIT CSAIL. My actions and
* comments do not reflect in any way on MIT. Also, I am nowhere near Boston.