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preservative
(redirected from Food preservative)

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.

preservative

Any of numerous chemical additives used to prevent or slow food spoilage caused by chemical changes (e.g., oxidation, mold growth) and maintain a fresh appearance and consistency. Antimycotics (e.g., sodium and calcium propionate, sorbic acid) inhibit mold growth; antioxidants (e.g., butylated hydroxytoluene or BHT) delay rancidity in foods containing fats and oils; antibiotics (e.g., tetracyclines) prevent bacterial growth; humectants retain moisture in products like shredded coconut; and antistaling agents (e.g., glyceryl monostearate) maintain moisture and softness in baked goods. Some preservatives also improve the appearance of the product (e.g., sodium nitrate and nitrite in meats).


preservative [pri′zər·vəd·iv]
(materials)
A chemical added to foodstuffs to prevent oxidation, fermentation, or other deterioration, usually by inhibiting the growth of bacteria.

preservative
1. A product, such as creosote, used to make wood waterproof or immune against attack by insects, etc.
2. A protective coating on a metal surface.


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Growth hormones, genetic engineering, and food preservatives are now essential part of almost anything we eat today.
The drinks' color and taste never varied, but for 2 randomly assigned weeks, each child got drinks with a bonus: Either of two different mixes of food colorings, together with sodium benzoate, a general food preservative.
 
 
 
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