E202: Potassium Sorbate (Soluble Antimicrobial) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant)
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.
E202 (Potassium Sorbate) is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, offering 58% water solubility at room temperature. INS 202, group ADI is 11 mg/kg bw/day, widely utilized in beverages, syrups, and cosmetics to block yeast fermentation.
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
|
E202 | E306 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 202 | INS 306 |
|
Functional Class
|
Preservative (Water-Soluble Antifungal) | Antioxidant (Lipid Peroxidation Inhibitor) |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
11 mg / kg body weight per day (as sorbic acid equivalent) | Not Limited (Quantum Satis) |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Dissociates into sorbic acid in food matrix, blocking substrate transport in fungal cells | Free-radical scavenger donating phenolic hydrogen atoms to peroxyl radicals (ROO•), breaking lipid auto-oxidation chain |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Fruit juices, carbonated beverages, table syrups, dips, yogurt drinks, wine finishing | Vegetable cooking oils, margarines, infant formula, fish oil capsules, potato crisps |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
Vegan, Halal, Kosher Certified | 100% Vegan (Plant oil distillate), Halal, Kosher Certified |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 182.3640) | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1890) |
|
Chemical Formula
|
C6H7KO2 | — |
|
Active Isomers
|
— | d-Gamma-Tocopherol, d-Delta-Tocopherol, d-Alpha-Tocopherol |