Question

Which of the following is used as a preservative ?

• A. Vinegar
• B. Oil
• C. Salt
• D. All of these

Hint:

Many common kitchen staples have preservative properties. The "big four" natural preservatives are salt, sugar, vinegar, and oil. Remember that they work by making the food environment hostile to microbes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
A food preservative is a substance added to food to prevent or slow down spoilage caused by microbial growth or chemical changes.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
All the given options are common, traditional food preservatives:
(A) Vinegar: The acetic acid in vinegar creates a highly acidic environment where most bacteria and molds cannot survive. It is the key ingredient in pickling.
(B) Oil: Oil acts as a preservative by creating a protective layer on top of food (like pickles), cutting off the oxygen supply required by many spoilage-causing microbes.
(C) Salt: Salt preserves food through osmosis. It draws water out of the food and out of microbial cells, dehydrating them and making the environment unsuitable for their growth. This is used in curing meat and making pickles.
Since all three are effective preservatives, the correct answer is (D).
Step 3: Final Answer:
Vinegar, oil, and salt are all used as food preservatives.