# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Food Additives & E-Numbers

E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener)

Comparing 2 standards across 16 specifications. 16 key differences identified.

Comparing:
E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant)
E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener)

E334 (L(+)-Tartaric Acid) is a dicarboxylic organic acid recovered as potassium bitartrate by-product from wine barrels. INS 334, ADI has historically been set at up to 20 mg/kg bw/day by JECFA, delivering a sharp, lingering tartness in candies, soft drinks, and baking powders.

View full E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) spec sheet →

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.

View full E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

16 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
E-Number Code
E334
INS / Codex Number
INS 334
Functional Class
Acidity Regulator, Acidulant, Synergist for Antioxidants
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
Historically up to 20 mg / kg body weight per day (JECFA: 0–6 mg/kg unconditional + 6–20 mg/kg conditional acceptance)
Chemical Formula
C4H6O6 (2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid)
Primary Mechanism
Stronger sourness profile than citric acid (pKa1 2.98), stimulating salivation and activating baking soda
Common Target Foods
Hard sour candies, baking powder (Cream of tartar), grape beverages, wine adjustment
Dietary Compliance
100% Vegan (Wine by-product), Halal, Kosher
Safety Approval
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1099)
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)

Other Alternatives to Compare

Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E100: Curcumin (Turmeric Yellow Color) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E101: Riboflavin (Vitamin B2 Yellow Color) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E140: Chlorophyll & Chlorophyllins (Green Color) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E150d: Sulfite Ammonia Caramel (Class IV Caramel) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E160c: Paprika Extract (Capsanthin / Capsorubin) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E162: Beetroot Red (Betanin) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E163: Anthocyanins (Grape Skin & Berry Red/Purple) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E200: Sorbic Acid (Antifungal Preservative) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E202: Potassium Sorbate (Soluble Antimicrobial) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E211: Sodium Benzoate (Acid Beverage Preservative) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E224: Potassium Metabisulfite (Campden Salt) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E260: Acetic Acid (Vinegar Acidulant / Preservative) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E270: Lactic Acid (Biological Acidulant) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E282: Calcium Propionate (Bread Anti-Mold) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E290: Carbon Dioxide (Carbonation & MAP Gas) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E300: L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C Antioxidant & Flour Improver) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E322: Lecithin (Phospholipid Emulsifier & Viscosity Reducer) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E330: Citric Acid (Universal Acidulant / Chelator) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E338: Phosphoric Acid (Cola Acidulant) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E410: Locust Bean Gum (Carob Bean Gum / LBG) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E414: Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum Emulsifier) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E422: Glycerol (Glycerin Humectant & Solvent) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E440: Pectin (Citrus & Apple Jam Gelling Fiber) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E460: Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC / Dietary Bulking) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E503: Ammonium Bicarbonate (Baker's Ammonia / Hartshorn) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E509: Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent / Cheese Salt) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E631: Disodium Inosinate (IMP Meat Umami Synergist) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E635: Disodium 5'-Ribonucleotides (I+G Blend) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E955: Sucralose (Splenda / 600x Heat-Stable Sweetener) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E965: Maltitol (Sugar Alcohol / 90% Sweetness) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E967: Xylitol (Birch Sugar / Dental Caries Inhibitor) → Compare E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) vs. E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol) →