rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryadulterantSubstance that reduces purity
noun

adulterant

uh-DUL-ter-unt/əˈdʌltərənt/

A substance added to another that reduces its purity or quality.

The sawdust becomes an adulterant when it is mixed into the flour.

A small pile of pale sawdust beside flour, with a spoon of sawdust tipped into a flour sack to show an improper added substance.
Etymology
adulterLatincorrupt, falsify
+antLatindoing the action

The participial form of adulterare describes something that corrupts or falsifies. Used as a noun, it identifies the substance doing the corrupting: an improper addition that lowers purity.

In context

Kickin' it with Sal5:12
the fraud often involves expensive products like saffron for instance that's why the spice is regularly examined by chemists adulterant such as chalk powder or starch are added to bulk up the product
How We Are Tricked into Buying Adulterated Food | Food Fraud

More examples

  • Inspectors test the spice powder for cheap adulterants.
  • The added water acts as an adulterant in the milk.
  • The report identifies the adulterant that reduced the product's quality.

Forms

adulterant · adulterants

adulterate verb — To make impure by adding inferior material.

Similar words

contaminant
May enter accidentally rather than being deliberately mixed in.
additive
Can improve a product rather than reduce its purity.