Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) vs. E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt)
Comparing 2 standards across 16 specifications. 16 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener)
E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt)
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.
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.
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
|
— | E501 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
— | INS 501(i) (Potassium Carbonate) |
|
Functional Class
|
— | Acidity Regulator, Alkaline Leavening, Kansui Salt |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
— | Not Limited (Quantum Satis) |
|
Chemical Formula
|
— | K2CO3 |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
— | Alkalinizes noodle dough (pH 9–11), tightening glutenin network and converting flavonoid pigments yellow |
|
Common Target Foods
|
— | Ramen noodles (Kansui), Dutch-process alkalized cocoa powder, gingerbread leavening |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
— | Vegan (Mineral salt), Halal, Kosher |
|
Safety Approval
|
— | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1619) |
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