Any agent that prolongs the useful life of a material. Food products are preserved by (1) low temperature, (2) ionizing radiation (X and γ rays), (3) antioxidants, (4) fungicides, (5) aldehydes, (6) paints, and others.
Use:
Antioxidants in lubricating oils, rubber, and plastics; fungicides on textiles; aldehydes on biological specimens; paints on wood and metals.