Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E440: Pectin (Citrus & Apple Jam Gelling Fiber)
Comparing 2 standards across 16 specifications. 16 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener)
E440: Pectin (Citrus & Apple Jam Gelling Fiber)
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.
E440 (Pectin) is a complex heteropolysaccharide rich in alpha-(1->4)-linked D-galacturonic acid extracted from citrus peels and apple pomace. INS 440, ADI is Not Limited (Quantum Satis), the global gold standard gelling agent for jams, jellies, and fruit spreads.
Specification Comparison Table
16 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
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) | — |
|
E-Number Code
|
— | E440 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
— | INS 440(i) / 440(ii) |
|
Functional Class
|
— | Gelling Agent, Thickener, Stabilizer, Soluble Fiber |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
— | Not Limited (Quantum Satis) |
|
Primary Classes
|
— | High Methoxyl Pectin (HM, DE > 50%), Low Methoxyl Pectin (LM, DE < 50%) |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
— | HM forms junction zones with sugar (Brix > 55%) + acid (pH < 3.5); LM gels with calcium ions (Ca2+) |
|
Common Target Foods
|
— | Fruit jams, marmalades, gummy confectionery, fruit preparations for yogurt, glazes |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
— | 100% Vegan (Citrus peel/apple extraction), Halal, Kosher |
|
Safety Approval
|
— | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1588) |
Other Alternatives to Compare
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E100: Curcumin (Turmeric Yellow Color) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E101: Riboflavin (Vitamin B2 Yellow Color) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E140: Chlorophyll & Chlorophyllins (Green Color) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E150d: Sulfite Ammonia Caramel (Class IV Caramel) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E160a: Beta-Carotene (Provitamin A Orange Color) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E160c: Paprika Extract (Capsanthin / Capsorubin) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E162: Beetroot Red (Betanin) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E163: Anthocyanins (Grape Skin & Berry Red/Purple) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E200: Sorbic Acid (Antifungal Preservative) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E202: Potassium Sorbate (Soluble Antimicrobial) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E211: Sodium Benzoate (Acid Beverage Preservative) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E224: Potassium Metabisulfite (Campden Salt) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E260: Acetic Acid (Vinegar Acidulant / Preservative) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E270: Lactic Acid (Biological Acidulant) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E282: Calcium Propionate (Bread Anti-Mold) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E290: Carbon Dioxide (Carbonation & MAP Gas) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E300: L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C Antioxidant & Flour Improver) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E322: Lecithin (Phospholipid Emulsifier & Viscosity Reducer) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E330: Citric Acid (Universal Acidulant / Chelator) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E338: Phosphoric Acid (Cola Acidulant) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E410: Locust Bean Gum (Carob Bean Gum / LBG) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E414: Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum Emulsifier) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E422: Glycerol (Glycerin Humectant & Solvent) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E460: Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC / Dietary Bulking) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E503: Ammonium Bicarbonate (Baker's Ammonia / Hartshorn) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E509: Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent / Cheese Salt) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E631: Disodium Inosinate (IMP Meat Umami Synergist) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E635: Disodium 5'-Ribonucleotides (I+G Blend) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E955: Sucralose (Splenda / 600x Heat-Stable Sweetener) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E965: Maltitol (Sugar Alcohol / 90% Sweetness) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E967: Xylitol (Birch Sugar / Dental Caries Inhibitor) →
Compare E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol) →