Question

What are food preservatives? Give example

Answer 1

Food preservatives

• Food preservatives are substances that prevent food spoilage caused by microbial growth.
• Food preservatives increase the shelf life of foods and help to control the growth of bacteria.

Examples of food preservatives

• Sugar, table salt, vegetable oil, and sodium benzoate $\left({\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{COONa}\right)$ are the most commonly used food preservatives.
• Salt is used to suppress the growth of microbes in vegetables and meats.
• Sorbic acid and propanoic acid salts are also used as preservatives.