Salts and sugars work to preserve foods by creating a

A) Hypertonic environment

B) Lower pH

C) Depletion of nutrients

D) Lower osmotic pressure

A) Hypertonic environment

Explanation:

A hypertonic environment or solution contains more solute than solvents, that is, the solution in the environment has more dissolved particles, such as salt or sugar. Microorganisms are unlikely to survive in a hypertonic solution as water would be drawn out of the ells of the mircoorganisms, causing their cells to shrink.

Salts and sugars are used in preserving foods as they create a hypertonic environment that is unfavorable to bacteria and fungi that cause food spoilage.