sulfite

[ suhl-fahyt ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a salt or ester of sulfurous acid.
2. any sulfite-containing compound, especially one that is used in foods or drug products as a preservative and that can cause severe allergic reactions in susceptible individuals: use in fresh fruits and vegetables banned by the FDA in 1986.

sulfite

/ sŭl′fīt′ /

1. A salt or ester of sulfurous acid, containing the group SO 3 .

Other Words From

• sul·fit·ic [suhl-, fit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sulfite¹

First recorded in 1780–90; sulf(ur) + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Frozen shrimp may contain preservatives like sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium bisulfite, which people with sulfite or phosphate sensitivities may want to avoid.

From Seattle Times

However, these chemical pathways all rely on a critical sulfur molecule, called sulfite.

From Science Daily

And how much of it ended up as RNA-producing sulfite?

From Science Daily

"For modern Earth we know the answer -- sulfite loves to oxidize, or react with oxygen, so it'll go away super-fast."

From Science Daily

By contrast, as geological evidence indicates, there was very little oxygen in early Earth's atmosphere, which could have allowed sulfite to accumulate and last much longer.

From Science Daily