bisulfite
/baɪˈsʌlfaɪt/
noun
- A salt or ester of sulfurous acid containing the anion HSO₃⁻; used as a preservative, bleaching agent, and in food processing.
- Sodium bisulfite is often added to dried fruit to prevent browning.
- The bisulfite treatment helped bleach the wood pulp for paper production.
- Winemakers use bisulfite to kill unwanted bacteria and preserve the wine.