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

E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii)

Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 9 key differences identified.

Comparing:
E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel)
E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii)
E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) →

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).

View full E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) spec sheet →
E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii) →

E500 (Sodium Carbonates / Sodium Bicarbonate NaHCO3) is a mineral salt leavening agent and pH buffer. INS 500(ii), ADI is Not Limited (Quantum Satis), decomposing under heat and acid to produce carbon dioxide bubbles that expand cakes, cookies, and pretzel crusts.

View full E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel)
E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii)
E-Number Code
E406 E500
INS / Codex Number
INS 406 INS 500(ii) (Bicarbonate) / 500(i) (Carbonate)
Functional Class
Gelling Agent, Thickener, Stabilizer (Plant Gelatin Alternative) Raising / Leavening Agent, Acidity Regulator, Anti-Caking
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) Not Limited (Quantum Satis)
Primary Mechanism
Forms double helices that aggregate into rigid 3D water-trapping gel matrices Thermal (>50°C) or acid neutralization releases CO2 gas: NaHCO3 + H+ -> Na+ + H2O + CO2
Common Target Foods
Vegan jellies, Asian desserts (Yokan), confectionery glazes, microbiological agar plates Baking powders, cookies, cakes, pretzel alkaline dips, effervescent drink tablets
Dietary Compliance
100% Vegan (Red marine algae), Halal, Kosher (Animal-gelatin free) 100% Vegan (Mineral Solvay process/Trona mining), Halal, Kosher
Safety Approval
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1115) EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1736)
Chemical Components
Agarose (Gelling polymer) and Agaropektin (Sulfated polymer) —
Chemical Formula
— NaHCO3 (Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate)

Other Alternatives to Compare

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(Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E200: Sorbic Acid (Antifungal Preservative) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E202: Potassium Sorbate (Soluble Antimicrobial) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E211: Sodium Benzoate (Acid Beverage Preservative) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E224: Potassium Metabisulfite (Campden Salt) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E260: Acetic Acid (Vinegar Acidulant / Preservative) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E270: Lactic Acid (Biological Acidulant) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E282: Calcium Propionate (Bread Anti-Mold) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E290: Carbon Dioxide (Carbonation & MAP Gas) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E300: L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C Antioxidant & Flour Improver) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E322: Lecithin (Phospholipid Emulsifier & Viscosity Reducer) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E330: Citric Acid (Universal Acidulant / Chelator) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E338: Phosphoric Acid (Cola Acidulant) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E410: Locust Bean Gum (Carob Bean Gum / LBG) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E414: Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum Emulsifier) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E422: Glycerol (Glycerin Humectant & Solvent) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E440: Pectin (Citrus & Apple Jam Gelling Fiber) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E460: Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC / Dietary Bulking) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E503: Ammonium Bicarbonate (Baker's Ammonia / Hartshorn) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E509: Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent / Cheese Salt) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E631: Disodium Inosinate (IMP Meat Umami Synergist) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E635: Disodium 5'-Ribonucleotides (I+G Blend) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E955: Sucralose (Splenda / 600x Heat-Stable Sweetener) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E965: Maltitol (Sugar Alcohol / 90% Sweetness) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E967: Xylitol (Birch Sugar / Dental Caries Inhibitor) → Compare E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol) →