Exploring Different Types of Food Preservatives

In order to support sustainability and reduce food waste, it is important to consider the use of preservatives in our global food supply system. Preservatives play a critical role in ensuring that our food remains safe and fresh for longer periods. In this blog, we'll take a look at preservatives examples and their diverse uses.

What Do Preservatives Do?

Preservatives play an important role in our daily lives. Preservative agents are added to many of the foods and products we use to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. Without these preservatives, our food and other products would spoil more quickly, making them unsafe for human consumption.

Here are the two functions of preservatives:

# Inhibition of Microbial Growth: Preservatives can inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, and molds, which can cause spoilage and degradation of products. Therefore, they can help maintain the quality of food items and extend their shelf life.

# Prevention of Oxidation: Certain preservatives (such as antioxidants) are used to prevent oxidation. Oxidation can lead to rancidity of fats and oils which can affect food safety and flavor. This is common in processed foods containing oils and fats, as well as in certain cosmetics and skin care products.

Types of Preservatives

Preservatives can generally be categorized into two main types based on their source and composition: natural preservatives and chemical preservatives.

1. Natural Preservatives: Natural preservatives are derived from natural sources such as plants, fruits, vegetables, and minerals. These Preservatives include salt, sugar, vinegar, rosemary extract, and citric acid.

2. Chemical Preservatives: Artificial preservatives are synthetically produced in laboratories. Chemical preservatives examples are benzoates, sorbates, sulfites, nitrites, etc.

What are Examples of Preservatives?

1. Benzoates: Benzoates are salts or esters of benzoic acid (C7H6O2), and they are commonly used as preservatives in various food and beverage products. The most common benzoates used as preservatives are sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate.

1.1 Sodium Benzoate Food Preservative

Sodium benzoate is the sodium salt of benzoic acid, with the chemical formula C7H5NaO2. It is a white crystalline chemical that is primarily utilized as a food preservative. Sodium benzoate preservatives appear in a variety of products, including soft drinks, fruit juices, jams, salad dressings, frozen yogurt toppings, medicines, and cosmetics. If you want to buy sodium benzoate, please contact us for sodium benzoate price and free samples.

1.2 Potassium Benzoate

Potassium benzoate is the potassium salt derived from benzoic acid. Similar to sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate acts as a preservative by preventing the growth of bacteria and yeast in food and beverage products. It is water-soluble, making it suitable for use in liquid products.

2. Sorbates: Sorbates are salts or derivatives of sorbic acid (C6H8O2), and they are commonly used as preservatives in the food industry. The most commonly used sorbates in food preservation are sorbic acid and potassium sorbate.

2.1 Sorbic Acid

Sorbic acid is a natural compound with the chemical formula C6H8O2. It is commonly used as a food preservative due to its antimicrobial properties. Sorbic acid is frequently used as a preservative in a variety of food products, including baked goods, cheeses, beverages, and pickled foods.

2.2 Potassium Sorbate

Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, with the chemical formula C6H7KO2. Potassium sorbate e202 serves as a preservative by preventing the growth of microorganisms. Potassium sorbate for sale is often chosen for its effectiveness, particularly in acidic conditions commonly found in various food, beverages, wine, and cosmetics.

3. Propionates: Propionates are salts or esters of propionic acid. They are commonly used as preservatives in the food industry due to their ability to inhibit the growth of molds and bacteria, particularly in bakery products. The two most common propionates used as food preservatives are calcium propionate and sodium propionate.

3.1 Calcium Propionate Preservative

Calcium propionate is the calcium salt derived from propionic acid. Calcium propionate powder is commonly used in bakery products, such as bread, rolls, and pastries. Calcium propionate for sale can inhibit the growth of molds and certain bacteria and extend the shelf life of foodstuff.

3.2 Sodium Propionate

Sodium propionate is the sodium salt of propionic acid, with the chemical formula (CH3CH2COONa). Like calcium propionate, it works by releasing propionic acid in the presence of moisture and acidity that can disrupt the metabolic processes of spoilage microorganisms. And it often exists in baking products.

4. Bacteriocins: Bacteriocins are proteinaceous compounds produced by bacteria that have antimicrobial activity against other bacteria. Bacteriocins have gained attention for their potential applications in food preservation due to their ability to selectively target specific bacteria. Two well-known examples of bacteriocins are Nisin and Natamycin:

4.1 Nisin Preservative

Nisin is a food additive and a natural preservative derived from lactic acid bacteria. Nisin preservative is used in the production of cheese, meat, canned foods, beverages, etc. Nisin food preservative can extend the shelf life of food by inhibiting Gram-positive spoilage bacteria and pathogenic bacteria.

4.2 Natamycin

Natamycin, also known as pimaricin, is an antifungal agent produced by the bacterium Streptomyces natalensis. Acting as an effective food preservative, Natamycin in food can inhibit the growth of molds and yeast. So, Natamycin 100mg is particularly valued in the preservation of numerous dairy products and baked goods. And Natamycin for sale can be regarded as a replacement for sorbic acid.

The Bottom Line

In the selection of types of preservatives, food producers should take into full consideration the nature of the product, pH levels, composition, and usage conditions. By using preservatives, food manufacturers can distribute their products across the world while maintaining their high quality and safety standards.

Chemsino, as a manufacturer of food additives and preservatives, can offer a variety of preservatives and other food additives to cater to the unique requirements of customers. For inquiries or free samples, get in touch with us.