Preservatives
Preservatives
Preservatives (/prɪˈzɜːrvətɪvz/) are substances or chemicals that are added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc., to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes.
Etymology
The term "preservative" comes from the Latin word "praeservare" which means "to keep or guard beforehand".
Types of Preservatives
There are several types of preservatives used in various industries. Some of the most common ones include:
- Antimicrobial preservatives: These are substances that are added to products to prevent the growth of microbes. They are commonly used in food and pharmaceutical products.
- Antioxidant preservatives: These are substances that are added to products to prevent oxidation, a chemical reaction that can cause changes in color, flavor, and nutritional value.
- Chelating agents: These are substances that bind to metal ions, preventing them from catalyzing oxidative reactions.
Related Terms
- Food preservation: This is the process of treating and handling food to stop or slow down food spoilage, loss of quality, edibility, or nutritional value.
- Pharmaceutical preservative: This is a substance added to pharmaceutical products to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.
- Cosmetic preservative: This is a substance added to cosmetics to prevent the growth of microbes and extend the shelf life of the product.
- Natural preservative: These are substances derived from natural sources that are used to prevent spoilage and extend the shelf life of products.
- Artificial preservative: These are man-made or synthetic substances that are used to prevent spoilage and extend the shelf life of products.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Preservatives
- Wikipedia's article - Preservatives
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