Natural preservatives like salt, honey and certain fruits have long been used as natural solutions to keep foods from spoiling and prevent harmful bacteria from growing within food products.
Due to health or allergy concerns, many are opting for preservative-free foods in their grocery shopping trips, usually shopping the perimeter aisle for whole, minimally processed products.
Preservatives
Preserves are fruit and vegetable products preserved using sugar to extend their shelf life, such as whole and half fruits, relishes, pickles, jams and jellies. When produced from syrup-based recipes, sugar also acts as both preservative and flavor enhancer. The amount of syrup used varies between products; some have as little as 10% sugar concentration while others boast up to 60%. Salt has traditionally been the go-to preservative in food products; however, with modern refrigeration methods and other food preservation strategies becoming the norm, high sodium levels are now often used. Many sodium-containing compounds provide similar protection from microbial growth and chemical reactions as salt (He and MacGregor 2007); some even possess multiple purposes in foods.
Glycerin
Glycerin is an organic alcohol found both naturally in plants and animals as well as synthetically produced. With three hydroxyl groups forming its polyol structure, glycerin forms an indigo colored liquid miscible with water that’s nontoxic to humans and used as a sweetener, solvent, pharmaceutical agent and emollient to attract moisture to skin surfaces.
Manuka honey also boasts a low glycemic index, meaning that it does not spike blood sugar levels like other sugars do, making it useful in stabilizing glucose levels and reducing diabetes risks. Manuka honey can be found in various products including dietary supplements, soft drinks and chewing gum.
Cosmetics containing glycerine offer numerous advantages to consumers and are especially helpful for individuals with dry skin. Glycerine draws moisture to the surface of skin cells and locks it in, keeping the surface soft, hydrated, smooth, and wrinkle-free. In addition, it helps retain natural oils within skin tissues to retain suppleness as well as reduce wrinkles.
Glycerin can be found in an assortment of skin care products, from moisturizers and lotions to soap and toothpaste. It makes an excellent gentle cleanser that removes dirt and oil without irritating skin; furthermore, its low glycemic load does not encourage bacteria growth on its own.
Glycerin can be extracted from vegetable oil crops such as palm, coconut, rapeseed and soy as an animal-free alternative to animal fats. When combined with propylene glycol it forms the preservative glycerol monostearate similar to methylcellulose but with two hydroxyl groups instead of just one. Nitroglycerine can then be formed for use as an explosive in manufacturing dynamite and gelignite as well as propellants such as cordite. Glycerin also finds use as laxative laxative glycerol enemas and suppositories administered within neonatal intensive care units – an economical and non-medically monitored procedure (Zenk 1993).
