Which of the following is used as a preservative in food

Options

A. ethanol
B. sodiumlactate
C. sodium benzoate
D. none of the above

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks which of the given options is used as a preservative in food. Preservatives are substances added to food to prevent spoilage caused by microorganisms.

2. **Identifying the Options**: The options provided are:
- A) Ethanol
- B) Sodium Lactate
- C) Sodium Benzoate
- D) None of the above

3. **Analyzing Each Option**:
- **Ethanol**: While ethanol can act as a preservative in some contexts (like in alcoholic beverages), it is not commonly used as a food preservative in the same way as other substances.
- **Sodium Lactate**: This is used in some food products but is not as widely recognized as a primary food preservative.
- **Sodium Benzoate**: This is a well-known food preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria, molds, and other microorganisms. It is particularly effective in acidic foods.
- **None of the Above**: This option implies that none of the listed substances are preservatives, which is not true since sodium benzoate is a known preservative.

4. **Conclusion**: After analyzing the options, the correct answer is C) Sodium Benzoate. It is widely used as a food additive and helps to prevent spoilage, thereby preserving the food.

5. **Additional Information**: Sodium benzoate has a chemical structure that includes a benzene ring (C6H5) attached to a carboxylate group (COO-) and a sodium ion (Na+). It is effective in preventing food from becoming rancid and losing nutritional value.