Question:
Which salt absorbs ethylene effectively during storage of apple?
Which salt absorbs ethylene effectively during storage of apple?
Show Hint
Ethylene speeds up apple ripening. To extend storage life, ethylene needs to be removed. Potassium permanganate (KMnO\(_4\)) is a chemical widely used for this purpose because it oxidizes ethylene gas, effectively 'scrubbing' it from the air.
Updated On: Jul 2, 2026
- KMnO\(_4\)
- K\(_2\)SO\(_4\)
- KCl
- KNO\(_3\)
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is A
Approach Solution - 1
Ethylene (C\(_2\)H\(_4\)) is a plant hormone that acts as a ripening agent. Apples are climacteric fruits, meaning they produce ethylene and their ripening is accelerated by it. During storage, ethylene produced by the apples can lead to over-ripening and reduced shelf life. Therefore, removing or absorbing ethylene from the storage atmosphere is beneficial.
(1) KMnO\(_4\) (Potassium permanganate): This is a strong oxidizing agent. It effectively removes ethylene from the air by oxidizing it to ethylene glycol, and further to carbon dioxide and water. KMnO\(_4\) is commonly incorporated into various absorbent materials (like alumina pellets or sachets) used as ethylene scrubbers in fruit storage.
(2) K\(_2\)SO\(_4\) (Potassium sulfate): A stable salt, not an ethylene absorbent.
(3) KCl (Potassium chloride): A stable salt, not an ethylene absorbent.
(4) KNO\(_3\) (Potassium nitrate): A stable salt, used as a fertilizer, not an ethylene absorbent. Therefore, potassium permanganate is the salt that effectively absorbs (or more accurately, oxidizes and removes) ethylene. KMnO_4
(1) KMnO\(_4\) (Potassium permanganate): This is a strong oxidizing agent. It effectively removes ethylene from the air by oxidizing it to ethylene glycol, and further to carbon dioxide and water. KMnO\(_4\) is commonly incorporated into various absorbent materials (like alumina pellets or sachets) used as ethylene scrubbers in fruit storage.
(2) K\(_2\)SO\(_4\) (Potassium sulfate): A stable salt, not an ethylene absorbent.
(3) KCl (Potassium chloride): A stable salt, not an ethylene absorbent.
(4) KNO\(_3\) (Potassium nitrate): A stable salt, used as a fertilizer, not an ethylene absorbent. Therefore, potassium permanganate is the salt that effectively absorbs (or more accurately, oxidizes and removes) ethylene. KMnO_4
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
Approach Solution -2
Reasoning from chemical reactivity:
Ethylene ( \( \text{C}_2\text{H}_4 \) ) is a reactive alkene that is readily attacked by strong oxidising agents. Potassium permanganate ( \( \text{KMnO}_4 \) ) is one such oxidiser: it oxidises ethylene into simpler compounds, and its manganese-purple colour visibly fades as it becomes "spent", which is why it is impregnated onto inert carriers (alumina, vermiculite) and packed into scrubber sachets placed in cold-storage rooms and fruit cartons.
Potassium sulfate, potassium chloride and potassium nitrate are all chemically stable, non-oxidising salts under normal storage conditions and have no capacity to react with or remove ethylene gas.
Because only \( \text{KMnO}_4 \) can chemically break down ethylene, it is the correct choice for extending apple storage life.
Ethylene ( \( \text{C}_2\text{H}_4 \) ) is a reactive alkene that is readily attacked by strong oxidising agents. Potassium permanganate ( \( \text{KMnO}_4 \) ) is one such oxidiser: it oxidises ethylene into simpler compounds, and its manganese-purple colour visibly fades as it becomes "spent", which is why it is impregnated onto inert carriers (alumina, vermiculite) and packed into scrubber sachets placed in cold-storage rooms and fruit cartons.
Potassium sulfate, potassium chloride and potassium nitrate are all chemically stable, non-oxidising salts under normal storage conditions and have no capacity to react with or remove ethylene gas.
Because only \( \text{KMnO}_4 \) can chemically break down ethylene, it is the correct choice for extending apple storage life.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Top ICAR AIEEA Horticulture Questions
- In banana:
Statement (A): Bunch feeding is a simple and low-cost method.
Statement (B): It is the direct way to supply nutrients to the bunch.
Statement (C): Only micronutrients can be given through this method.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below. - The softwood grafting
Statement (I): Is done with mature, procured scion on the emerging soft, coppery-red shoot of the rootstock, which is 60-70 days old.
Statement (II): Is used for raising desired varieties of mango, sapota, tamarind and cashew.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below. - Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): In garlic modified roots are economic part.
Statement (II): Characteristic odour in garlic is due to volatile organic sulfur-containing compounds that are rapidly produced upon tissue damage and diffuse into the air.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below. - Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): The flowers of ridge gourd start opening in the evening and remain open throughout the night.
Statement (II): Pollination of ridge gourd is done in the day time.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below. - Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): The first gynoecious based hybrid of bitter gourd is Pusa Hybrid-4 developed by ICAR-IARI, New Delhi.
Statement (II): The male:female ratio of the gynoecious based hybrids of bitter gourd is 25:1.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.
View More Questions
Top ICAR AIEEA Questions
- Which of the following statements is false?
- Which of the following is an example of an inventory?
- According to Adam Smith, productivity gains could be brought about through .
- The supply curve for an artificially scarce good is .
- Which of the following would not be considered an opportunity cost of paid employment?
View More Questions