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Foods and Potassium Permanganate

Potassium permanganate is a salt compound known as KMn04 that is used to oxidize water and sanitize food. Highly purified potassium permanganate can have some health and wellness benefits--from clearing up common skin disorders to removing harmful pesticides and bacteria in fresh foods. However, its inorganic properties can be very harmful to a person's health and toxic in foods if used incorrectly.

  1. Composition

    • Potassium permanganate is made up of one molecule containing one potassium atom, one manganese atom and four oxygen atoms. Its salt-like composition derives from the combination of potassium and manganate, which dissolves in water resulting in a bright purple solution. This solution also is known as Condy's crystals or potash permanganate.

    Potassium Permanganate Uses in Water

    • This compound is used mainly by municipal authorities to purify and improve the quality of public drinking water. The use of potassium permanganate neutralizes odor, oxidizes bacteria and eliminates waste production that drinking water reservoirs may contain. Potassium permanganate has been known to control the population levels of mollusks and other invasive species that permeate these water reservoirs.

    Effects of Potassium Permanganate on Foods

    • The purification form of potassium permanganate has been known to reduce mold and preserve raw vegetables and fruits when used as an oxidizer solution. The United States Pharmacopeia approves highly purified potassium permanganate, at 0.1 percent, to sterilize vegetables and fruits by eliminating ethylene gas and bacteria from foods, which can prevent them from forming mold and can help preserve freshness for longer periods of time.

    Effects of Potassium Permanganate in Fish

    • There are some instances of aquatic toxicity of potassium permanganate in fish, but only if used in high doses. With proper dosing and purification, potassium permanganate is deemed safe by the United States Pharmacopeia. It also does not contaminate the fish with harmful chemicals or effect the taste of the fish. The use of potassium permanganate is helpful in purifying the water in which fish reside, making it cleaner and less contaminated because it oxidizes and dissolves organic matter and waste.

    Potassium Permanganate and Vegetation

    • Potassium permanganate not only is used to sanitize public drinking water, but its oxidation properties can clean off vegetation after it has come in contact with harmful pesticides. Toxic sludge, which is known to grow in and around vegetation, can create bacteria in foods. Potassium permanganate, when used in safe levels, can kill off toxic sludge, purifying vegetables and making them safe to eat.

    Potassium Permanganate Health Dangers

    • Pure potassium permanganate is highly poisonous to people. If digested, its chemical properties can cause death; if exposed to the skin, it can cause burns. Potassium permanganate should not be exposed to fire, as it can ignite. Safety precautions need to be taken when exposed to the crystal form of potassium permanganate. Digesting or inhaling its crystal form can result in lung damage as well as abdominal pain, nausea and unconsciousness.

      Diluted potassium permanganate is useful for a wide variety of applications and is safe to use on foods.

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