Sugar and salt are used as antimicrobial agents in foods because they prevent microbial use of which of these food contents?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sugar and salt are used to prevent microbial growth by reducing the amount of free water available. Bacteria require water to grow and survive, so reducing the water content of a food inhibits their growth. Sugar and salt both absorb water, making it less available for microbial use. Fat, protein, and carbohydrate content do not have as significant of an impact on microbial growth as water content.

Sugar and Salt Are Used as Antimicrobial Agents in Foods