A preservative is a substance or a chemical that is added to products such as food products, beverages, pharmaceutical drugs, paints, biological samples, cosmetics, wood, and many other products to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes. In general, preservation is implemented in two modes, chemical and physical. Chemical preservation entails adding chemical compounds to the product. Physical preservation entails processes such as refrigeration or drying.[Erich Lück and Gert-Wolfhard von Rymon Lipinski "Foods, 3. Food Additives" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 2002, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. ] Preservative reduce the risk of foodborne infections, decrease microbial spoilage, and preserve fresh attributes and nutritional quality. Some physical techniques for food preservation include dehydration, UV-C radiation, freeze-drying, and refrigeration. Chemical preservation and physical preservation techniques are sometimes combined.
Food preservation
Preservatives have been used since prehistoric times.
Smoked meat for example has
and other chemicals that delay spoilage. The preservation of foods has evolved greatly over the centuries and has been instrumental in increasing food security. The use of preservatives other than traditional oils, salts, paints, etc. in food began in the late 19th century, but was not widespread until the 20th century.
The use of food preservatives varies greatly depending on the country. Many developing countries that do not have strong governments to regulate food additives face either harmful levels of preservatives in foods or a complete avoidance of foods that are considered unnatural or foreign. These countries have also proven useful in case studies surrounding chemical preservatives, as they have been only recently introduced.[Ashagrie, Z. Z., & Abate, D. D. (2012). IMPROVEMENT OF INJERA SHELF LIFE THROUGH THE USE OF CHEMICAL PRESERVATIVES. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition & Development, 12(5), 6409-6423.] In urban slums of highly populated countries, the knowledge about contents of food tends to be extremely low, despite consumption of these imported foods.[Kumar, H., Jha, A., Taneja, K. K., Kabra, K., & Sadiq, H. M. (2013). A STUDY ON CONSUMER AWARENESS, SAFETY PERCEPTIONS & PRACTICES ABOUT FOOD PRESERVATIVES AND FLAVOURING AGENTS USED IN PACKED /CANNED FOODS FROM SOUTH INDIA. National Journal of Community Medicine, 4(3), 402-406.]
Antimicrobial preservatives
Antimicrobial preservatives prevent degradation by bacteria. This method is the most traditional and ancient type of preserving—ancient methods such as pickling and adding honey prevent microorganism growth by modifying the pH level. The most commonly used antimicrobial preservative is
lactic acid. Common antimicrobial preservatives are presented in the table.
[Shaw, Ian C. (2012). Food Safety : The Science of Keeping Food Safe. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com (306- 334)] The detailed mechanism of these chemical compounds range from inhibiting growth of the bacteria to the inhibition of specific enzymes.
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| E200 – E203 | sorbic acid, sodium sorbate and sorbates | common for cheese, wine, baked goods, personal care products |
| E210 – E213 | benzoic acid and benzoates | used in acidic foods such as Fruit preserves, salad dressing, , Pickling, carbonated drinks, soy sauce |
| E214 – E219 | | stable at a broad pH range |
| E220 – E228 | sulfur dioxide and | common for fruits, wine |
| E249 – E250 | | speed up the curing of meat and also impart an attractive colour, no effect on botulism bacteria |
| E251 – E252 | | used in meats |
| E270 | lactic acid | - |
| E280 – E283 | propionic acid and | baked goods |
| E338 | phosphoric acid | used in some jams, preserves and carbonated drinks; also used for acidification and for flavouring. |
Antioxidants
The oxidation process spoils most food, especially those with a high fat content. Fats quickly rancidification when exposed to oxygen. Antioxidants prevent or inhibit the oxidation process. The most common antioxidant additives are ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and ascorbates.[ Thus, antioxidants are commonly added to oils, cheese, and chips.][Msagati, Titus A. M. (2012). The Chemistry of Food Additives and Preservatives. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com ] Other antioxidants include the phenol derivatives BHA, BHT, TBHQ and propyl gallate. These agents suppress the formation of hydroperoxides.
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| E300-304 | ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate | cheese, chips |
| E321 | butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole | also used in food packaging |
| E310-312 | gallic acid and sodium gallate | oxygen scavenger |
| E220 – E227 | sulfur dioxide and sulfites | beverages, wine |
| E306 – E309 | | vitamin E activity |
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A variety of agents are added to sequester (deactivate) metal ions that otherwise catalyze the oxidation of fats. Common sequestering agents are EDTA, citric acid (and citrates), tartaric acid, and lecithin.[
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Nonsynthetic compounds for food preservation
Citric acid and target that degrade fruits and vegetables, e.g., mono/polyphenol oxidase which turns surfaces of cut apples and potatoes brown. Ascorbic acid and tocopherol, which are vitamins, are common preservatives. Smoking entails exposing food to a variety of phenols, which are antioxidants. Natural preservatives include rosemary and oregano extract,
Traditional preservatives, such as sodium benzoate have raised health concerns in the past. Benzoate was shown in a study to cause hypersensitivity in some asthma sufferers. This has caused reexamination of natural preservatives which occur in vegetables.
Public awareness of food preservation
Public awareness of food preservatives is uneven.[Kumar, H. N. Harsha; Jha, Anshu Kumar; Taneja, Khushboo K.; Kabra, Krishan; Sadiq, Hafeez M. (2013). A Study On Consumer Awareness, Safety Perceptions & Practices about Food Preservatives and Flavouring Agents used in Packed/Canned Foods from South India. National Journal of Community Medicine, 4(3), 402.] Americans have a perception that food-borne illnesses happen more often in other countries. This may be true, but the occurrence of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths are still high. It is estimated by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that each year there are 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths linked to food-borne illness.[Theron, M. M. & Lues, J. F. (2007). Organic acids and meat preservation: A review. Food Reviews International, 23, 141-158.]
Food suppliers are facing difficulties with regards to the safety and quality of their products as a result of the rising demand for ready-to-eat fresh food products. Artificial preservatives meet some of these challenges by preserving freshness for longer periods of time, but these preservatives can cause negative side-effects as well.
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Sodium nitrite is a preservative used in lunch meats, , , , and bacon to prevent botulism and other foodborne pathogens. It serves the important function of controlling the bacteria that cause botulism, but sodium nitrite can react with , or during cooking at high heats, to form N-.
[Antinoro, L. (2008). EN Rates 12 Common Food Additives As Safe Or Sorry Ingredients. (Cover story). Environmental Nutrition, 31(5), 1-4.]
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The commonly used sodium benzoate has been found to extend the shelf life of bottled tomato paste to 40 weeks without loss of quality.
[(Bhat, Rajeev; Alias, Abd Karim; Paliyath, Gopinadham (2011). Progress in Food Preservation. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com ] However, it can form the carcinogen benzene when combined with vitamin C. Many food manufacturers have reformed their products to eliminate this combination, but a risk still exists.[
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Preservation of other products
Water-based home and personal care products use broad-spectrum preservatives, such as and formaldehyde releasers, which may cause sensitization, leading to allergy skin.|
| personal care products |
| isothiazolinones (MIT, CMIT, BIT) | not for food: home and personal care products, paints/coatings |
| formaldehyde releasers (DMDM hydantoin) | not for food: home and personal care products |
See also
External links
