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CAS: 123-94-9
DESCRIPTION:
Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E471) refers to a naturally occurring class of food additive composed of diglycerides and monoglycerides which is used as an emulsifier.
E 471 is also used as a fruit coating agent.
This mixture is also sometimes referred to as partial glycerides.
E 471 is white, odourless powder.
E471 is an additive and comes in the category of: Thickeners, gelling agents, phosphates, humectants and emulsifiers.
E471 is known as a mono-and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids.
These fatty acids are known as synthetic fats and are produced from glycerol and natural fatty acids. These can be from either plant or animal origin.
E471 is generally a mixture of several products.
Its makeup is similar to partially digested natural fat.
The E471 bakery emulsifier is a palm based food additive that is composed of two molecules known as glyceryl monostearate and glyceryl distearate.
Emulsifier E471 helps maintain eating quality, extends shelf life and reduces waste.
Benefits of E471: • Good thickening, emulsifying, anti-caking, and preservative agent.
E471 emulsifier is composed of two molecules known as glyceryl monostearate and glyceryl distearate.
E471 is manufactured from glycerine (E422), which can be obtained from either animal fats or soy bean oil.
• Full Name: Glycerin Monostearate/Monoglycerides
• Product Type: emulsifier, food grade
• Color: white or light yellow
• Odor: non-irritating odor
• Form: solid powder
• CAS: 123-94-9
Mono and diglycerides of fatty acids is a powdered food additive of vegetable origin, obtained from the hydrolysis of triglycerides (food fats).
Mono and diglycerides of fatty acids have high emulsifying power, aerating function, good dispersibility and strong anti-stale action in bread.
E 471 is indicated for:
- increase the volume of ice creams, helping to obtain a stronger and creamier structure;
- to improve the leavening and alveolation of flour in doughs for bakery products;
-for the production of margarines;
-for the production of “toffee” type candies and chewing-gum, as it facilitates the detachment of the product.
E471 is the food additive, which is used as stabilizer and emulsifier.
The additive E471 represents mono-and diglycerides of fatty acids.
In spite of its complicated name, the additive has the natural origin.
The given emulsifier is made by special treatment of the organic acids, mainly the plant ones, and «artificial» fatty acids, received predominantly from glycerin.
The primary purpose of the given additive is a production of homogeneous mass from substances, which usually do not mix in nature.
As an example, it can be said that with a help of the additive E471 a vegetable oil can easily be mixed with water.
That is why the additive is more frequently used in the preparation of dairy and fat products.
According current data, the additive E471 is generally recognized as safe.
Monoglycerides and diglycerides of fatty acids are similar to partially assimilated natural fat and the organism processes the given emulsifier as well as other fats.
Consequently, the harm, connected with overuse of fats, can be caused to organism directly by products, containing this additive under condition of its constant abundant intake.
The basic products, which contain the additive E471, are margarines, yoghurts, ice cream, mayonnaises and other high-fat products.
Functional Classes of E 471:
Antifoaming agent
Emulsifier
Glazing agent
Stabilizer
Synthesis of E 471:
Monoglycerides and diglycerides are both naturally present in various seed oils,however their concentration is usually low and industrial production is primarily achieved by a glycerolysis reaction between triglycerides (fats/oils) and glycerol.
The raw materials of this may be either vegetable or animal fats and oils.
Concerns for vegan, vegetarian and religious diets about E 471:
E471 is mainly produced from vegetable oils (such as soybean), although animal fats are sometimes used and cannot be completely excluded as being present in the product.
The fatty acids from each source are chemically identical.
The Vegan Society, which discourages eating animal-based foods, flags E471 as potentially animal based.
However, vegetarians and vegans, not wishing to consume any animal products, may choose to avoid products containing E471.
Uses of E 471:
In the late 2010s, the company Apeel Sciences entered the market in parts of South America, China, and Japan with monoacylglycerols as an alternative to plastic films to prevent withering and conserving fruit and vegetables for transport and storage.
As a food additive, E471 is mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (glycerol monostearate, glycerol distearate) that is used as an emulsifier in a great variety of foods.
E471 is frequently used as an anti-staling agent in baked goods, such as breads, cakes and pies.
E471 can also be found in potato crisps, dessert toppings, aerosol creams, custard powder, margarine spreads and ice cream.
E471 is a group of synthetic fats that are produced from glycerol and natural fatty acids, from plant and animal origins.
E471 is generally a mixture of several products, and its composition is similar to partially digested natural fat.
E471 improves stability and aeration of cake batters, fillings and toppings.
E471 gives ice cream, whipped cream and similar products a smoother texture.
Glycerol monostearate, commonly known as GMS, is an organic molecule used as an emulsifier.
GMS is a white, odorless, and sweet flaky powder that is hygroscopic.
E471 prevents the formation of fat bloom on confectionery and truffles.
E471 is applicable to all types of products with water content, and E471is particularly recommended for use in water-fat mixtures.
You can find E471 in our body as a by-product of the breakdown of fats, and E471 is also found in fatty foods.
E471 is largely used in baking preparations to add “body” to the food.
One of the most common applications is to give ice cream and whipped cream its smooth texture.
Apart from this function, GMS is also used as a thickening, emulsifying, anti-caking, and preservative agent in food additive industry.
For industrial uses, it can be used as a emulsifying agent for oils, waxes, and solvents; a protective coating for hygroscopic powders; a solidifier and control release agent in pharmaceuticals; and a resin lubricant.
E471 is also used in cosmetics and hair care products.
E numbers are used to preserve, enhance and help maintain the nutritional value of food.
The E471 emulsifier is a common additive that can be found in packaged food items.
Emulsifier E471, also called Glyceryl Monostearate/Monoglycerides, has great applicability, strong emulsifying power, good heat resistance and acid resistance, and is suitable as emulsifier, dispersant, foaming agent, emulsifier stabilizer in various foods.
Application in bread, cake, pasta products:
E471 Increases the volume and softer.
E471 Prolongs the fresh-keeping period
E471 Improves the crispness in the biscuit, make the biscuit production easy to demold, and ensure pattern clear.
Application in Edible oils and dairy products:
E471 Prevents oil bleeding, oil-water separation and delamination.
E471 Eliminates water seepage in hot weather.
E471 is used as an inhibitor of edible oil crystals.
E471 Improves instant solubility, prevent precipitation and agglomeration in dairy products such as condensed milk, malted milk, cheese, and instant milk powder.
Application in chocolate:
E471 Prevents the precipitation of sugar crystals and oil separation
E471 Prevents the surface of chocolate from frosting
E471 Improves the brittleness of chocolate
E471 Prevents dampening and softening
Application in ice cream:
E471 Prevents the formation and expansion of ice crystals
E471 Ensures products with sufficient puffing and fine taste.
Application in beverages:
E471 is Used in fat or protein beverages, such as almond milk, coconut milk, walnut milk, peanut milk, and cocoa milk etc., as emulsifiers and stabilizers
E471 Improves solubility and stability,
E471 Inhibits the generation of foam to improve processing performance
E471 Prevents the precipitation and delamination, and extend the shelf life.
Application in Candy:
E471 Increases product gloss, and not stick to teeth when eating.
E471 Ensures gum with better softness and plasticity, and better chewing taste and extensibility.
E471 is Used as aerating agent in aerated candy
Application in chopped meat products:
E471 Prevents fat precipitation and reduces the production cost.
E471 Suppresses water precipitation, shrinkage and hardening of the finished product, and extend the shelf life.
Is Glyceryl Stearate Dangerous?
Glyceryl stearate is safe and green.
The production process is as simple as hydrolyzing a suitable oil feedstock.
This is a similar process with making soap which most of you can manage in the kitchen.
The process also uses renewable resources and does not consume much energy.
Glyceryl stearate is not toxic and readily biodegradable which can be done not only by micro-organisms but by humans.
Since glycerys stearate is a by-product of breakdown of fats, the process of breaking it into components is very basic that is one of the body’s major sources of energy and is going on in your body right now.
Therefore, if a product containing glyceryl stearate touches your skin, there will be no danger or harm.
Is E471 natural?
E471 is a group of synthetic fats that are produced from glycerol and natural fatty acids, from plant and animal origins.
E471 is generally a mixture of several products, and its composition is similar to partially digested natural fat.
As a food additive, E471 is mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (glycerol monostearate, glycerol distearate) that is used as an emulsifier in a great variety of foods.
E471 is a group of synthetic fats that are produced from glycerol and natural fatty acids, from plant and animal origins.
Specifications about E 471:
Total monoglyceride content(%): ≥40
Free glycerol(%): ≤5.0
Iodine value(g I/100g): ≤2.0
Moisture (%): ≤2.0
Soap added (%): ≤4.0
Arsenic value (mg/kg): ≤2
Heavy metal (as Pb) (mg/kg): ≤10
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT E471:
What Is E471 And Is It Vegan?
As vegans, we tend to be very cautious about the ingredients in our food and we can’t simply eat whatever we please.
Many food additives often present in processed foods come from animal sources.
E471, in particular, is a controversial food additive because it can come from both plant and animal sources.
E471 is a mono or diglyceride derived from fatty acids and often acts as an emulsifying agent, though it has other uses as well.
Since E471 is mostly derived from soy, E471 is considered vegan.
However, there are still lots of controversies regarding E471.
There is more to it than meets the eye, and sometimes it’s not enough to just look at a product’s label to determine whether it’s vegan or not.
What Is E471 In Foods?
E471 is a popular ingredient that you can find in the list of ingredients of any baked good.
E471 is a food additive that helps in emulsification.
If you are not familiar with these numbers, you must still be in doubt about E471.
Basically, the food additives that the European Union (EU) laws have approved to be safe for consumption start with an “E” in their names.
And after the ‘E,’ you can see the number attested to the additive.
So, if the additives qualify through the tests to be safe, they are coded with numbers starting with ‘E’. Basically, E471 is an emulsifier that helps mix liquids.
E471 is a mono-or diglyceride fatty acid.
Typically, E471 comes from soy but E471 can also come from an animal source, which makes it a rather controversial ingredient.
Foods that contain both water and oil require an emulsifying agent.
Because water and oil are immiscible compounds, emulsifiers help to stabilize the mixture and keep them together.
So, you can find E471 in most baked food items.
However, E471 is also present in other food items such as:
Chocolates
Muffins
Bread
Jam
Jellies
Cream
Icecream
Cured meat
Margarine
Candies
Custard Powder
Baby foods
Processed foods
Readymade foods or instant snacks
E471 has other uses too.
E471 can act as a thickening agent, anti-caking agent, preservative, humectant, etc.
E471 can also increase the shelf life of various foods.
In most sweet foods, the use of E471 can prevent the crystallization of sugar.
However, the most common use of E471 is as an emulsifier or a stabilizing agent.
They improve the quality, texture, and smoothness of the dish.
Besides, there are many known vegan emulsifiers like agar-agar, soy lecithin, xanthan gum, etc.
Can Vegans Eat Food Containing E471?
Vegans can eat food containing E471 as long as it comes from a plant source.
If your packaging has no vegan approved seal or doesn’t clearly state the source of the additive, make sure to contact the company before consuming.
How Is E471 Obtained?
E471 is a mono or diglyceride.
Glycerides come from the reaction between glycerol and fatty acids.
The standard plant oils are mostly soy oil, palm oil, coconut oil, cottonseed oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, etc.
Glycerol can also come from a transesterification reaction between glycerol and triglycerides.
The most common triglycerides are soybean oil and corn oil, the sources of most food emulsifiers.
Instead of plant oils, animal fats like lard or pig fat are also used, like beef fat.
The mono or diglycerides that are produced from these animal sources are similar to the plant-based E471.
So, you can never really differentiate between the two based on their taste or texture.
How To Know If Your Food Contains E471 And If It Is Vegan?
To be fair, most foods have the food additives mentioned on their labels or list of ingredients.
Either it will be revealed in the full name as Monoglyceride or Diglyceride, or simply you can find the code with ‘E’ for the additive in the list of ingredients.
Some vegan-friendly foods have a “Vegan-Approved’ seal, but a lot of them don’t.
So it’s really difficult to know whether certain foods are actually vegan despite the lack of flagrant animal ingredients.
Is E471 Halal?
Another growing concern regarding E471 for most consumers is whether E471 is halal or not.
As long as the fat comes from a plant source or a domestic animal source (cows, goats, sheep, buffaloes, etc.), E471 is halal.
Most halal foods come with a halal seal, so you need not worry.
But if it doesn’t, try to research the sources.
Pig fat is not halal, so Muslims can’t eat foods with E471 from pig fat.
Synonym(s):
Glyceryl Monooleate
Glyceryl Monoplamitate
Glyceryl Monostearate
GMS
Monoolein
Monopalmitin
Monostearin
