Ethylene, as a plant hormone, plays a multifaceted regulatory role in plant physiological processes. It positively influences the ripening and aging of fruits and vegetables. For instance, ethylene stimulates the normal ripening of respiratory climacteric fruits, enhancing their flavor, color, and texture.

However, ethylene also negatively affects the storage of fruits and vegetables after harvest. It plays a major role in plant aging by directly or indirectly impacting metabolism. Ethylene can increase respiration rates, promote fruit softening, cause chlorosis in vegetables, and shorten the post-harvest life of fruits and vegetables.

Therefore, controlling ethylene levels in the storage environment is crucial to maintaining the quality and extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables after harvest. Potassium Permanganate (KMnO₄) is the most commonly used commercial ethylene remover and is widely applied in the preservation of fruits like kiwis, apples, and bananas.

Potassium Permanganate oxidizing absorbents are more effective in removing ethylene compared to physical adsorbents like activated carbon. While activated carbon and other porous materials physically adsorb ethylene gas molecules through weak intermolecular forces, this form of adsorption is easy to reverse. Therefore, physical adsorbents are generally not used alone for ethylene removal but are often employed as carriers for chemical ethylene removers. 

Mechanism of action of Potassium Permanganate in fruit preservation:

3CH₂=CH₂+2KMnO₄+H₂O=2MnO₂+3CH₃CHOH+2KOH

3CH₃CHO+2KMnO₄+H₂O=3CH₃COOH+2MnO₂+2KOH

3CH₃COOH+8KMnO₄=6CO₂+8MnO₂+8KOH+2H₂O

Potassium Permanganate partially reacts with water in a neutral environment, decomposing to release oxygen. This oxygen promotes aerobic respiration in fruits, reduces anaerobic respiration, and decreases the production of toxic anaerobic byproducts such as alcohol and acetaldehyde. Potassium Permanganate can directly decompose ethylene, thereby delaying fruit ripening and aging. The KOH produced by this reaction can absorb CO₂ generated by respiration, lowering the CO₂ concentration in the environment and inhibiting the anaerobic respiration of the fruit. According to relevant reports, the manganese dioxide produced in this reaction can adsorb heavy metal ions such as Pb and Cd, contributing to the removal of heavy metal pollution in fruits.