Question

Explain the following:
(a) Disinfectants
(b) Food preservatives

Answer 1

Disinfectants, antiseptics as well as preservatives refers to the chemical agents having the capability to destroy or restrict the growth of microbes. They play a significant role in medical or health care but also possess the widespread utility in the management of environment, livestock, paints, coatings, pharmaceutical, food, textiles and consumer products.

Complete step by step answer:
a) Disinfectants: Disinfectants refer to the chemical agents which are mainly used to disinfect (i.e. sterilize or decontaminate) something. Disinfectants are employed especially on the hard surfaces (or non-living objects) and in water (like wastewater or even in drinking water) to inactivate or destroy or to reduce the concentration of pathogens (like bacteria, fungi, viruses) significantly. Examples: alcohol, chlorine, phenol, sulphur dioxide, formaldehyde, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, etc.

(b) Food preservatives: A preservative refers to a chemical or substance which is added to food products, pharmaceutical drugs, beverages, paints, cosmetics, biological samples, wood, or other products in order to prevent deterioration via microbial growth or to prevent any undesirable chemical changes. Food preservatives are added to food products to inhibit or retard the process of fermentation or acidification or deterioration of food by microbial growth. Examples: sugar, vinegar, salt, sodium benzoate, salts of propionic acid and sorbic acid, etc.

Note:
Food preservatives can sometimes prove to be harmful as well. One of the harmful impacts of food preservatives is their capability to transform into carcinogen agents. Actually, few food items consist of nitrosamine which is a preservative composed of nitrites and nitrates. These nitrites and nitrates can mix with the gastric acids to form cancer-causing agents.