Selective

capacity

Molecular

SO₂

The bisulfite ion ( ${\text{HSO}}_3^{-}$ )

The sulfite ion ( ${\text{SO}}_3^{\text{2}-}$ )

Combined

form

Fungicidal

++

Lightly

−

−

Bactericide

++

Lightly

−

Lightly

Antioxidant

++

+

Lightly

−

Antioxidative

+

++

−

−

Redox potential

+

+

Lightly

−

Combination with acetic aldehyde

+

+

+

+

Taste influence

Pungent smell,

taste of sulfur

Odorless

Odorless

Odorless