MolSynapsequestion bank
MolSynapse / Question bank / Chemistry in Everyday Life / Chemicals in food: sweeteners, preservatives, antioxidants
JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3el140

In wine making, sulphites are added so that sulphur dioxide is released. The role of and the change in the oxidation state of sulphur are

  1. Aantioxidant (reducing agent); sulphur changes from +4 to +6
  2. Bantioxidant (reducing agent); sulphur changes from +4 to +2
  3. Coxidising agent which kills yeast; sulphur changes from +4 to +2
  4. Doxidising agent; sulphur changes from +6 to +4

Answer: A

Sulphite is oxidised by oxygen: (balanced in atoms and charge). Sulphur goes from +4 to +6, so sulphite is a reducing agent and protects the wine from oxidation. The two oxidising options need S to be reduced, which does not occur with oxygen present.
Practice Chemistry in Everyday Life More on Chemicals in food: sweeteners, preservatives, antioxidants

More questions on Chemicals in food: sweeteners, preservatives, antioxidants