Science glossary film: Preservative

A substance that is added to a product in order to prevent decomposition or undesirable chemical changes. Preservatives can be natural, such as sugar or salt used to preserve food. Or they can be synthetic compounds, as in the case of preservatives that extend the shelf life of medicines, and biological samples.

Preservatives can be natural, such as sugar or salt used to preserve food. Or they can be synthetic compounds, as in the case of preservatives that extend the shelf life of medicines, and biological samples.