Question

Vitamin C and Vitamin E, BHA and BHT and sulphite are all
A. Antioxidants
B. Flavor enhancers
C. Antimicrobial agents
D. Incidental food additives

Answer 1

The substances which inhibit oxidation of food are called antioxidants, these are specially used in food so as to prevent their spoilage and keep them fresh for a longer period of time.

Complete answer:
In a living organism, a chemical reaction like oxidation can produce free radicals, which leads to a series of reactions that may damage the cells of organisms. An antioxidant removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents in the living organism, thereby preventing oxidation reaction.
-Vitamin C also called ascorbic acid and vitamin E are antioxidants. Vitamin C is obtained from citrus fruits like lemon, oranges; amla, and green leafy vegetables. Vitamin E is obtained from vegetable oils like sunflower oil.
-BHA stands for butylated hydroxyanisole and BHT stands for butylated hydroxytoluene are added to food because they help in food preservation since they retard the action of oxygen on food.
-BHA and BHT are phenolic compounds that are added to butter and other fatty products to increase their shelf life. In these compounds, oxygen reacts with BHA and BHT rather than oils and fats, therefore preventing their oxidation.
-Sulphur dioxide and sulphite are also antioxidants especially used for wine, beer, sugar syrups, and cut, peeled, or dried fruits and vegetables. Beta – carotene and some plant-based nutrients are also used as antioxidants.
-Various chemicals are added to the food, such as food colours, flavours, sweeteners, fat emulsifiers and stabilizers, preservatives, antioxidants, and nutritional supplements such as minerals, vitamins and amino acids are added as additives in the food materials.
-As the name suggests, antimicrobials are the chemicals that restrict or inhibit the growth of microbes. Antibiotics, antiseptics, and disinfectants are different kinds of antimicrobials used these days.
-Antibiotics are the drugs that are used to treat infections caused by microorganisms by destroying them or by inhibiting the growth of the microbes. Ampicillin, amoxycillin, chloramphenicol, and penicillin are different kinds of antibiotics.
-Antiseptics are the chemicals that are used to apply the living tissues or diseased skin surfaces especially to heal wounds or infections Dettol is an antiseptic made up of chloroxylenol and terpineol.
-Disinfectants are used on non-living things such as drainage systems or floors to kill the microbes present on them. 0.2 %of phenol is antiseptic and 1% of phenol solution acts as a disinfectant.
Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note: Scurvy is a diseased condition in which there is a presence of bleeding gums, mainly caused due to deficiency of vitamin C or ascorbic acid. The deficiency of vitamin E causes muscular weakness and is characterized by increased fragility of the erythrocytes or the RBCs.