erythorbic acid

[ er-uh-thawr-bik, er- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a crystalline compound, C 6 H 8 O 6 , soluble in water: used as an antioxidant for food and as a reducing agent in photography.

Word History and Origins

Origin of erythorbic acid¹

First recorded in 1960–65; eryth(r)- ( def ) + (asc)orbic acid ( def )

Example Sentences

Sodium erythorbate: A sodium salt of erythorbic acid, it has replaced the use of sulfites in many foods and serves as a preservative and to help keep meat-based products pink.

From Scientific American