E162: Beetroot Red (Betanin) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant)
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 9 key differences identified.
E162 (Beetroot Red / Betanin) is a water-soluble red-purple betacyanin pigment pressed or extracted from red beets (Beta vulgaris). INS 162, ADI is Not Limited (Quantum Satis), used in dairy, ice creams, and sausages.
E306 is a natural mixture of alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherols steam-distilled from vegetable oils (soybean, sunflower). INS 306, ADI is Not Limited, serving as the gold standard lipid-soluble antioxidant in fats and oils.
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E162 | E306 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 162 | INS 306 |
|
Functional Class
|
Food Color (Red-Purple) | Antioxidant (Lipid Peroxidation Inhibitor) |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) | Not Limited (Quantum Satis) |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Betanidin glycoside absorbing green light (535–538nm) to reflect intense magenta-red | Free-radical scavenger donating phenolic hydrogen atoms to peroxyl radicals (ROO•), breaking lipid auto-oxidation chain |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Strawberry yogurt, berry ice creams, confectionery, fruit preparations | Vegetable cooking oils, margarines, infant formula, fish oil capsules, potato crisps |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
100% Vegan (Beetroot juice extract), Halal, Kosher | 100% Vegan (Plant oil distillate), Halal, Kosher Certified |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 73.40) | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1890) |
|
Chemical Formula
|
C24H26N2O13 (Betanin glucoside) | — |
|
Active Isomers
|
— | d-Gamma-Tocopherol, d-Delta-Tocopherol, d-Alpha-Tocopherol |