An Acid or Base Serves as an Effective Preservative Because

Question

An acid or base serves as an effective preservative because
A) pH change is likely to be reversed.
B) pH change is unlikely to be reversed.
C) animals and plants grow at high pH.
D) animals and plants grow at low pH.
E) animals and plants grow at extreme pH.

Accepted Answer

An acid or base serves as an effective preservative because a pH change is unlikely to be reversed. The preservation action of acid or base is due to the fact that microorganisms that spoil food cannot grow under such conditions. The acidity or basicity of the preservative creates unfavourable conditions for bacterial growth, thus preventing food spoilage.