When Solute is Added to Food Products, the Water Activity

Question

When solute is added to food products, the water activity (aw)
A) increases.
B) decreases.
C) remains the same.
D) initially increases and then decreases.

Accepted Answer

Adding solutes to a food product reduces the amount of available water molecules, resulting in a decrease in water activity. This decrease in aw can help to preserve the food by creating an environment that is unfavorable for microbial growth.