Some scientists believe that a chemical widely used as a preservative and a colouring agent in foods gets converted to an acid in the stomach, affects the genes and causes cancer in human beings. Identify that substance.

Ferric chloride

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Sodium nitrite

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Vinegar

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Sulphur dioxide

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Solution

The correct option is B Sodium nitrite
Sodium nitrite and nitrate closely are related chemicals that have been used for centuries to preserve meat. While nitrate itself is harmless, it easily converts to nitrite, which when combined with secondary-amine compounds forms nitrosamines, a powerful cancer-exacerbating chemical. This chemical reaction occurs easily during the frying process.

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Identify the chemical agent in the stomach that is responsible for killing bacteria present in the food and activating pepsin.

C_{2} H_{4} O_{2}

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