Classification of food preservatives and their application in various industries

Preservatives are chemical substances that are mainly used to extend the shelf life of food, medicine, cosmetics and other products to prevent products from deteriorating due to the erosion of bacteria, mold and other microorganisms. In the food industry, the use of Food Preservatives has been decades of history, widely used in meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, beverages and other foods. Currently commonly used preservatives are the following:

1. Sodium benzoate and its salts: Benzoic acid is one of the most commonly used preservatives, and its hydrolyzed products are safe and harmless, and will not cause harm to the human body. However, due to its weak ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria, it needs to achieve the effect of corrosion protection at high concentrations.

2. Sorbic Acid and its salts: Sorbate is also a commonly used preservative, and its hydrolyzed products are safe and harmless, and will not cause harm to the human body. Compared with benzoic acid, sorbic acid has stronger antibacterial activity and longer antibacterial action time.

3. Propanoic Acid and its salts: Propionic acid is a relatively new preservative, its antibacterial ability is strong, and has a long antibacterial time. However, propionic acid may cause allergic reactions in some people, so its use is somewhat limited.

4. Dehydroacetic Acid and its salts: dehydroacetic acid is also a commonly used preservative, its antibacterial ability is strong, and has a long antibacterial time. However, dehydroacetic acid can cause allergic reactions in some people, so its use is also somewhat limited.

In addition to the above several commonly used preservatives, there are other preservatives, such as isothiazolinones, nitrobenzoates, Nipkins, etc., but these preservatives are used less and have been gradually replaced by other safer and healthier preservatives. It is worth noting that the use of preservatives must comply with relevant laws and regulations and undergo strict safety assessments. When using preservatives, we should pay attention to the formula and process of food, minimize the amount of use, and pay attention to the composition and content of preservatives in food, and choose the right food suppliers and food brands.