Which category of ingredient in a suspension is used to keep solid particles suspended?

• A. Suspending agents
• B. Wetting agents
• C. Flavors
• D. Colorants

Answer: (A)

Keeping solid particles suspended in a liquid relies on slowing their tendency to settle. Suspending agents do this by increasing the liquid’s viscosity or by forming a loose gel network around the particles, which reduces their movement and sedimentation rate, helping the mixture stay uniform and easier to redisperse after shaking. Wetting agents, on the other hand, improve how the solid wets and disperses initially but don’t provide long-term stabilization. Flavors and colorants simply affect taste or appearance and don’t influence suspension stability. So, the ingredient category that keeps solid particles suspended is suspending agents.