Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Volatile oils (essential oils) are hydrophobic, aromatic, concentrated plant extracts.
Preserving them requires a substance that acts as both a solubilizing solvent and an antimicrobial stabilizer.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Alcohol (specifically ethyl alcohol/ethanol) is highly miscible with lipophilic volatile oils.
- It acts as an excellent solvent, holding the aromatic volatile components in a stable solution.
- At typical concentrations (\({>}15\text{--}20\%\)), alcohol exerts powerful antimicrobial activity by dehydrating microbial cells and denaturing cellular proteins, preventing any bacterial or mold spoilage of the volatile oil preparation.
- Sodium benzoate, KMS, and sorbic acid are hydrophilic salts/acids primarily used in high-moisture aqueous food systems (like juices, squashes, and jams).
Step 3: Final Answer:
The preservative used for volatile oils is Alcohol, which corresponds to option (D).