The word "sorbic" refers to a substance or compound that is derived from sorbic acid, which is often used as a preservative in food products to prevent spoilage and increase their shelf life. Full definition
Her group earned the company two patents on bacterial strains that can replace the artificial preservative sorbic acid in dairy products — bacteria that are used as a biopreservative in several of the company's products today. (sciencemag.org)