E322: Lecithin (Phospholipid Emulsifier & Viscosity Reducer) vs. E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid)
Comparing 2 standards across 14 specifications. 14 key differences identified.
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.
E407 (Carrageenan) is a high-molecular-weight sulfated polygalactan extracted from red edible seaweeds (Chondrus crispus / Irish Moss). INS 407, ADI is 75 mg/kg bw/day, famed for stabilizing cocoa suspension in chocolate milk via kappa-casein binding.
Specification Comparison Table
14 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not Specified (Quantum Satis / GRAS under FDA 21 CFR 184.1400) | 75 mg / kg body weight per day |
|
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 | — |
|
E-Number Code
|
— | E407 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
— | INS 407 |
|
Functional Class
|
— | Thickener, Gelling Agent, Emulsion Stabilizer |
|
Major Types
|
— | Kappa (Rigid brittle gel), Iota (Elastic thixotropic gel), Lambda (Non-gelling thickener) |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
— | Negative sulfate esters cross-link with positive charges on milk kappa-casein micelles |
|
Common Target Foods
|
— | Chocolate milks, whipping creams, plant-based milks, deli turkey meats (water binding) |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
— | 100% Vegan (Marine seaweed), Halal, Kosher |
|
Safety Approval
|
— | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 172.620) |