preservation by treatment with chemicals http://www.langual.org/langual_thesaurus.asp?termid=J0108 Preservation by immersing in or spraying with liquids (e.g., sulfite solutions) or surrounding with gases (e.g., ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or sulfur dioxide) to destroy undesirable microorganisms or inactivate enzymes. Diffusion and chemical reaction may create a residue in the food product that contributes to continuing preservation. chemical food preservation process