Final answer:
The main principle behind many food preservative methods is to decrease water content in foods. This can be achieved through various methods such as desiccation, addition of salt or sugar, and the use of chemical preservatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main principle behind many food preservative methods is to decrease water content in foods. This can be achieved through various methods such as desiccation, addition of salt or sugar, and the use of chemical preservatives.
Desiccation or drying is a method that has been used for millennia to preserve foods. By removing water from the food, it inhibits the growth of microbes which require water for their metabolism and survival. Chemical preservatives such as sorbic acid, benzoic acid, and propionic acid are used to inhibit microbial growth and minimize spoilage in some foods. These preservatives decrease the water activity in foods, making it more difficult for microbes to survive and grow.
Learn more about food preservative methods