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

E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt)

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

Comparing:
E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan)
E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt)
E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) →

E412 (Guar Gum) is a natural galactomannan hydrocolloid extracted from guar beans (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba). INS 412, ADI is Not Limited (Quantum Satis), boasting 8x the thickening power of cornstarch and hydrating completely in cold water.

View full E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) spec sheet →
E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) →

E501 (Potassium Carbonates / K2CO3) is an inorganic alkaline mineral salt. INS 501(i), ADI is Not Limited (Quantum Satis), used as the key 'Kansui' alkaline agent in Japanese ramen noodles and in the Dutch processing of cocoa powder.

View full E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan)
E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt)
E-Number Code
E412 E501
INS / Codex Number
INS 412 INS 501(i) (Potassium Carbonate)
Functional Class
Thickener, Emulsion Stabilizer, Dietary Fiber Acidity Regulator, Alkaline Leavening, Kansui Salt
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) Not Limited (Quantum Satis)
Primary Mechanism
Entangles water molecules via extensive hydrogen bonding, producing high viscosity at low shear Alkalinizes noodle dough (pH 9–11), tightening glutenin network and converting flavonoid pigments yellow
Common Target Foods
Gluten-free baked goods, salad dressings, ice creams, sauces, instant soup powders Ramen noodles (Kansui), Dutch-process alkalized cocoa powder, gingerbread leavening
Dietary Compliance
100% Vegan (Guar bean seed endosperm), Halal, Kosher, Non-GMO Vegan (Mineral salt), Halal, Kosher
Safety Approval
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1339) EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1619)
Mannose to Galactose Ratio
2 : 1 (High galactose substitution enables instant cold water solubility) —
Chemical Formula
— K2CO3

Other Alternatives to Compare

Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E100: Curcumin (Turmeric Yellow Color) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E101: Riboflavin (Vitamin B2 Yellow Color) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E140: Chlorophyll & Chlorophyllins (Green Color) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E150d: Sulfite Ammonia Caramel (Class IV Caramel) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E160c: Paprika Extract (Capsanthin / Capsorubin) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E162: Beetroot Red (Betanin) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E163: Anthocyanins (Grape Skin & Berry Red/Purple) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E200: Sorbic Acid (Antifungal Preservative) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E202: Potassium Sorbate (Soluble Antimicrobial) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E211: Sodium Benzoate (Acid Beverage Preservative) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E224: Potassium Metabisulfite (Campden Salt) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E260: Acetic Acid (Vinegar Acidulant / Preservative) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E270: Lactic Acid (Biological Acidulant) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E282: Calcium Propionate (Bread Anti-Mold) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E290: Carbon Dioxide (Carbonation & MAP Gas) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E300: L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C Antioxidant & Flour Improver) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E322: Lecithin (Phospholipid Emulsifier & Viscosity Reducer) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E330: Citric Acid (Universal Acidulant / Chelator) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E338: Phosphoric Acid (Cola Acidulant) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E410: Locust Bean Gum (Carob Bean Gum / LBG) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E414: Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum Emulsifier) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E422: Glycerol (Glycerin Humectant & Solvent) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E440: Pectin (Citrus & Apple Jam Gelling Fiber) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E460: Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC / Dietary Bulking) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E503: Ammonium Bicarbonate (Baker's Ammonia / Hartshorn) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E509: Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent / Cheese Salt) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E631: Disodium Inosinate (IMP Meat Umami Synergist) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E635: Disodium 5'-Ribonucleotides (I+G Blend) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E955: Sucralose (Splenda / 600x Heat-Stable Sweetener) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E965: Maltitol (Sugar Alcohol / 90% Sweetness) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E967: Xylitol (Birch Sugar / Dental Caries Inhibitor) → Compare E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) vs. E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol) →