E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) vs. E322: Lecithin (Phospholipid Emulsifier & Viscosity Reducer)
Comparing 2 standards across 14 specifications. 14 key differences identified.
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.
Lecithin (E322) is a complex mixture of zwitterionic polar phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol) derived from soybeans, sunflower seeds, or egg yolks, functioning as an amphiphilic oil-in-water surfactant and chocolate viscosity reducer.
Specification Comparison Table
14 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) | Not Specified (Quantum Satis / GRAS under FDA 21 CFR 184.1400) |
|
E-Number Code
|
E306 | — |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 306 | — |
|
Functional Class
|
Antioxidant (Lipid Peroxidation Inhibitor) | — |
|
Active Isomers
|
d-Gamma-Tocopherol, d-Delta-Tocopherol, d-Alpha-Tocopherol | — |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Free-radical scavenger donating phenolic hydrogen atoms to peroxyl radicals (ROO•), breaking lipid auto-oxidation chain | — |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Vegetable cooking oils, margarines, infant formula, fish oil capsules, potato crisps | — |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
100% Vegan (Plant oil distillate), Halal, Kosher Certified | — |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1890) | — |
|
INS / E-Number
|
— | INS 322i (Lecithin) / INS 322ii (Partially Hydrolyzed) |
|
Primary Phospholipid Composition
|
— | 19–21% Phosphatidylcholine (PC), 8–20% PE, 10–15% PI |
|
Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB)
|
— | HLB 4.0–6.0 (Standard unbleached) / HLB 8.0–10.0 (Enzymatically modified lyso-lecithin) |
|
Acetone-Insoluble Matter
|
— | ≥ 60.0% (standard benchmark of active phospholipid content) |
|
Major Sources
|
— | Soybean (Glycine max), Sunflower (Helianthus annuus - non-GMO / allergen-free), Rapeseed, Egg yolk |