Question

Suggest a word, chemicals added to food to prevent the growth of microorganisms.

Answer 1

When the food is kept for a prolonged period of time, several kinds of fungi, bacteria, yeast and moulds are obtained over it. Thus, spoilage of food occurs which is unfit for health. Preservatives are used to prevent the food from spoiling.

Complete answer:
When the food is kept for a prolonged period of time, the growth of microorganisms which includes fungi, bacteria, yeast and moulds occur over the surface of it. In order to avoid the food from spoiling, some chemicals are added into the food. These chemicals are preservatives which prevent or slow down the growth of microorganisms over the food. Thus, we can keep the food for a prolonged period of time by adding preservatives which avoids the change in colour, flavor and delay rancidity of the food. Preservatives have multiple applications in the field of packed food, medicines, personal and care products.
Therefore, chemicals added to food to prevent the growth of microorganisms are called preservatives.

Additional Information:
In particular of medicinal applications, preservatives are added in cough syrup to prevent the growth of bacteria which otherwise causes infection or disease. These preservatives are called antimicrobial preservatives. Besides antimicrobial preservatives, antioxidant preservatives are also used in care products which present the oxidation of substances in exposure to air (or oxygen).

Note:
It is important to note that preservatives are chemicals which are added to food to prevent the growth of bacteria. Preservatives slow down or prevent the growth of bacteria. Preservatives has multiple applications in the field of packed food, medicines, personal and care products.