Well, such a "negative catalyst" cannot decrease the activation energy of already existing path.

An alternative with the higher activation energy would not be significantly taken. You can detour a river making it flow easier by a side channel, but not if you lead it across a hill.

It could act differently, as an inhibitor, blocking the low activation energy path by reaction with the key intermediate product or existing catalyst, or by competitive inhibition.

Many redox reactions, including food deterioration, are catalyzed by traces of transient metals acting as redox catalysts, typically copper. An additive, forming metal complexes like EDTA, in large extend inhibits these catalyzed reactions.

Well, such a "negative catalyst" cannot increase the activation energy of already existing path.

An alternative with the higher activation energy would not be significantly taken. You can detour a river making it flow easier by a side channel, but not if you lead it across a hill.

It could act differently, as an inhibitor, blocking the low activation energy path by reaction with the key intermediate product or existing catalyst, or by competitive inhibition.

Many redox reactions, including food deterioration, are catalyzed by traces of transient metals acting as redox catalysts, typically copper. An additive, forming metal complexes like EDTA, in large extend inhibits these catalyzed reactions.

Well, such a "negative catalyst" cannot decrease the activation energy of already existing path.

An alternative with the higher activation energy would not be significantly taken. You can detour a river making it flow easier by a side channel, but not if you lead it across a hill.

It could act differently, as an inhibitor, blocking a key intermediate product or existing catalyst, or by competitive inhibition.

Well, such a "negative catalyst" cannot decrease the activation energy of already existing path.

An alternative with the higher activation energy would not be significantly taken. You can detour a river making it flow easier by a side channel, but not if you lead it across a hill.

It could act differently, as an inhibitor, blocking the low activation energy path by reaction with the key intermediate product or existing catalyst, or by competitive inhibition.

Many redox reactions, including food deterioration, are catalyzed by traces of transient metals acting as redox catalysts, typically copper. An additive, forming metal complexes like EDTA, in large extend inhibits these catalyzed reactions.