Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 20: Problem 52

The label of a certain brand of mayonnaise lists EDTA as a food preservative. How does EDTA prevent the spoilage of mayonnaise?

Short Answer

Expert verified
EDTA, or Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, works as a preservative by exploiting its chelating properties where it binds to metal ions and subsequently inhibits the growth of microbes and oxidation of fats in mayonnaise, ultimately lowering the rate of its spoilage.

Step by step solution

01

- Understanding of EDTA

EDTA, or Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, is a known compound widely used as a preservative. It's known for its strong chelating properties, which means it's able to bind with metal ions.
02

- Function of EDTA

EDTA inhibits enzymes by binding to metal ions that are essential for the enzyme's activity. This function of EDTA is often exploited in the food industry to extend the shelf-life of food products.
03

- Application to mayonnaise

In the context of mayonnaise, which is an emulsion of oil, egg yolk and acidic liquid, such as vinegar or lemon juice, spoilage can be caused by the growth of microbes or by the oxidation of fats. EDTA, due to its ability to bind metal ions, prevent certain enzyme activities and hence inhibit the growth of these microbes, as well as slows down the oxidation process, ultimately reducing the rate of spoilage.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Explain why atomic radii decrease very gradually from scandium to copper.

What distinguishes a transition metal from a representative metal?

The complex ion \(\left[\mathrm{Ni}(\mathrm{CN})_{2} \mathrm{Br}_{2}\right]^{2-}\) has a square planar geometry. Draw the structures of the geometric isomers of this complex.

Aqueous copper(II) sulfate solution is blue in color. When aqueous potassium fluoride is added, a green precipitate is formed. When aqueous potassium chloride is added instead, a bright-green solution is formed. Explain what is happening in these two cases.

Give the oxidation numbers of the metals in these species: (a) \(\mathrm{K}_{3}\left[\mathrm{Fe}(\mathrm{CN})_{6}\right]\) (b) \(\mathrm{K}_{3}\left[\mathrm{Cr}\left(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}\right)_{3}\right]\) (c) \(\left[\mathrm{Ni}(\mathrm{CN})_{4}\right]^{2-}\)
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Physical Chemistry

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free