Question

Which of the following are used as food preservative?

• A. Table salt
• B. Sodium hydrogen carbonate
• C. Cane sugar
• D. Benzoic acid

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (C)

Table salt
Cane sugar

A preservative is a substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes.

Food preservation usually involves preventing the growth of bacteria,fungi (such as yest), or other microorganisms (although some methods work by introducing benign bacteria or fungi to the food), as well as retarding the oxidation of fats that cause rancidity.

The earliest cultures have used sugar as a preservative, and it was commonplace to store fruit in honey. Similar to pickled foods, sugar cane was brought to Europe through the trade routes. In chemical pickling, the food is placed in an edible liquid that inhibits or kills bacteria and other micro-organisms. Typical pickling agents include table salt.

Hence A & C are correct options.