Catalyzes the hydrolysis of ester bond in chlorophyll to yield chlorophyllide and phytol. a chlorophyll + H2O = a chlorophyllide + H(+) + phytol Optimum pH is 7.5. Active from pH 5.0 to 9.0. Optimum temperature is 45 degrees Celsius. Active from 30 to 60 degrees Celsius. Porphyrin-containing compound metabolism; chlorophyll degradation. Low constitutive expression during fruit development and no marked increase towards the later stages of maturation. Strongly induced after 24 hours of exogenous ethylene treatment and increased further up to 7 days. Gibberellin-A3 (GA3) and the cytokinin N6-benzyladenine (BA) inhibit this induction by ethylene. Belongs to the AB hydrolase superfamily. Lipase family.