Question:

Which one among the following is NOT a function of acidulants?

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Citric acid is the most widely utilized commercial acidulant.
In addition to flavoring and preservation, it acts as a chelating agent, binding trace transition metals (like copper and iron) to prevent lipid oxidation and enzymatic browning.
  • Flavouring agent
  • Preservative
  • Buffering agent
  • Anticaking agent
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Acidulants (such as citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, and phosphoric acid) are organic or inorganic food-grade acids added to foods to modify pH and impart specific properties.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us analyze the functions of acidulants:
- Flavouring agent: They impart a pleasant, tart, sour taste to foods, masking off-flavors.
- Preservative: They lower the food pH below the growth limits of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, acting as natural preservatives.
- Buffering agent: Used alongside their conjugate salts to maintain a constant pH during processing.
- Anticaking agent: These are anhydrous chemical substances (such as silicon dioxide or tricalcium phosphate) added to powdered foods to prevent the formation of lumps (caking). Acidulants do not possess anticaking properties.

Step 3: Final Answer:

The function that is NOT performed by acidulants is anticaking, which corresponds to option (D).
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