The preservative mechanisms of preservatives can be broadly categorized into three types:
They interfere with the enzyme system of microorganisms, disrupting their normal metabolism and inhibiting enzyme activity.
They cause the proteins of microorganisms to coagulate and denature, interfering with their survival and reproduction.
They alter the permeability of cell membranes, inhibiting the elimination of enzymes and metabolic products from within the cell, leading to its inactivation.
