noun
- Plural of bisulfite; salts or esters containing the HSO₃⁻ ion, used as preservatives in food and wine, and in industrial processes.
Usage: chemistry; food industry
Examples
- Bisulfites are commonly added to dried fruits to prevent browning and spoilage.
- Wine producers use bisulfites to inhibit unwanted microbial growth during fermentation.
- The food label listed sodium bisulfite as a preservative in the packaged vegetables.
- Bisulfites can trigger allergic reactions in people with sulfite sensitivity.
- Industrial bleaching processes often employ bisulfites to remove color from textiles.