Antioxidants are used as food additives to preserve food for a longer period of time. Antioxidants act as oxygen scavengers as the presence of oxygen in the food helps the bacteria to grow that ultimately harm the food. In the absence of antioxidant food additive oxidation of unsaturated fats takes place rendering to foul smell and discoloration of food.
Different kinds of antioxidants foods act in a different ways but the end result is to delay or minimize the process of oxidation in food. Some antioxidants foods additives combine with oxygen to prevent oxidation and other prevent the oxygen from reacting with the food leading to its spoilage
Oxidation in a food is the process that occurs when food is exposed to oxygen. In food oxidation is a destructive process leads to the spoilage of food and changes the chemical composition as well as nutritional value of food. To prevent this or delay the process of oxidation, antioxidants foods additives are added in the food. They increases the shelf life of the food.
Fats and oils and any food containing them are more prone to oxidation. SO these must have antioxidant foods to prevent oxidation. The list of foods where antioxidants are added is vegetable oil, animal fat, meat, fish, poultry, baked products, potato products, margarine, salad dressing etc.
Antioxidant vitamins include Ascorbic acid (vitamin C). this antioxidant vitamin is used in beers, cut fruits, dried potatoes and jams. The antioxidant vitamins in these foods helps in preventing the discoloration of food by preventing the oxidation. It can also act as a substitute of vitamin C in potatoes that is lost during processing.
Citric Acid - E330It is used in biscuits, jams, tinned fruits, alcoholic drinks, cheese and dried soup. It has many uses like it prevents the discoloration of food, increases the anti-oxidant effect of other substances and regulates pH in jams and jellies.
Tocopherols - E306This antioxidant food additive is used in the meat pies and oils to reduce the oxidation of fatty acids and vitamins.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is used in margarine, oils, crisps and cheese. This antioxidant helps in preventing the reactions leading to the breakdown of fats.
There are many benefits of using antioxidant food additives. Antioxidants prevent the blockage of arteries with fatty deposits that prevents the heartattacks. Also these are associated with the prevention of certain types of cancers, arthritis and more conditions of these kinds.