E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative) vs. E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener)
Comparing 2 standards across 16 specifications. 16 key differences identified.
E220 (Sulfur Dioxide / SO2) is an inorganic gas dissolved in water to generate bisulfite and sulfite ions, providing potent antimicrobial and polyphenol oxidase enzyme-inhibiting properties. INS 220, group ADI is 0.7 mg/kg bw/day.
Xanthan gum (E415) is a high-molecular-weight microbial exopolysaccharide produced by Xanthomonas campestris fermentation, renowned for extreme pseudoplastic shear-thinning rheology, freeze-thaw stability, and gluten-free dough structural binding.
Specification Comparison Table
16 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E220 | — |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 220 | — |
|
Functional Class
|
Preservative, Antioxidant, Enzymatic Browning Inhibitor | — |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
0.7 mg / kg body weight per day (as SO2 equivalent) | — |
|
Chemical Formula
|
SO2 | — |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Molecular SO2 penetrates microbial membranes; bisulfite (HSO3-) cleaves disulfide bonds in enzymes and binds acetaldehyde | — |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Wines (Contains sulfites declaration >10mg/L), dried apricots, ciders, potato starch | — |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
Vegan, Halal, Kosher, Major Allergen Declaration Mandatory | — |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 182.3862 - Banned on raw produce) | — |
|
INS / E-Number
|
— | INS 415 / E415 |
|
Polymer Structure
|
— | Cellulose β-(1,4)-D-glucan backbone with trisaccharide side chains (mannose-glucuronic acid-mannose) |
|
Molecular Weight
|
— | 2.0 × 10⁶ to 5.0 × 10⁶ Da (2–5 MDa) |
|
Rheological Behavior
|
— | Extreme Pseudoplasticity (Shear-thinning index n ≈ 0.15–0.25) |
|
Yield Stress
|
— | High at rest (suspends dense particulates like herbs in salad dressing permanently) |
|
Thermal Stability
|
— | Maintains constant viscosity from 0°C to 100°C across pH 2.0 to 12.0 |
|
Synergistic Gelation
|
— | Forms thermo-reversible firm gels when blended with Locust Bean Gum (E410) or Guar Gum (E412) |