Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) vs. E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel)
Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 9 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant)
E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel)
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.
E406 (Agar-Agar) is a natural sulfated galactan polysaccharide hydrocolloid extracted from red algae seaweeds (Rhodophyta). INS 406, ADI is Not Limited (Quantum Satis), forming firm, brittle thermoreversible gels with huge hysteresis (melts at 85°C, sets at 35°C).
Specification Comparison Table
10 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E306 | E406 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 306 | INS 406 |
|
Functional Class
|
Antioxidant (Lipid Peroxidation Inhibitor) | Gelling Agent, Thickener, Stabilizer (Plant Gelatin Alternative) |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) | Not Limited (Quantum Satis) |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Free-radical scavenger donating phenolic hydrogen atoms to peroxyl radicals (ROO•), breaking lipid auto-oxidation chain | Forms double helices that aggregate into rigid 3D water-trapping gel matrices |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Vegetable cooking oils, margarines, infant formula, fish oil capsules, potato crisps | Vegan jellies, Asian desserts (Yokan), confectionery glazes, microbiological agar plates |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
100% Vegan (Plant oil distillate), Halal, Kosher Certified | 100% Vegan (Red marine algae), Halal, Kosher (Animal-gelatin free) |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1890) | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1115) |
|
Active Isomers
|
d-Gamma-Tocopherol, d-Delta-Tocopherol, d-Alpha-Tocopherol | — |
|
Chemical Components
|
— | Agarose (Gelling polymer) and Agaropektin (Sulfated polymer) |
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