How does lime juice preserve an apple?

Question

HELP ME SMART PEOPLES

Answer 1

I'm going to guess the citric acid destroys whatever causes the apple to start browning (probably bacteria or mold or something).

Answer 2

Any citric acid can keep an apple from browning if you bite into it. Though if you use a specific kind of fruit, it will end up tasting like that fruit. So you'd actually need the actual citric acid to be able to do this without the fruit juice part of it :).

Answer 3

prevents oxidation.  free radicals destroy the outer layer of the cut apple, turning it brown and slushy.  water, lime juice, lemon juice all help to protect against the free radicals, which are super charged particles of oxygen.