Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol)
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt)
E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol)
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.
E968 (Erythritol) is a four-carbon polyol produced by microbial fermentation of glucose by Moniliella pollinis. INS 968, ADI is Not Specified, delivering 70% the sweetness of sucrose with 0.0–0.2 kcal/g, zero GI, and 90% urinary excretion avoiding digestive distress.
Specification Comparison Table
12 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E501 | E968 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 501(i) (Potassium Carbonate) | INS 968 |
|
Functional Class
|
Acidity Regulator, Alkaline Leavening, Kansui Salt | Non-Nutritive Bulk Sweetener, Flavor Enhancer, Humectant |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) | Not Specified (Highest digestive tolerance among all polyols: 0.66–0.80 g/kg bw) |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Ramen noodles (Kansui), Dutch-process alkalized cocoa powder, gingerbread leavening | Keto baked goods, monk fruit/stevia blends (Swerve), zero-sugar confectionery |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
Vegan (Mineral salt), Halal, Kosher | 100% Vegan (Yeast fermentation of corn glucose), Halal, Kosher, Non-GMO |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1619) | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (GRN 76) |
|
Chemical Formula
|
K2CO3 | — |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Alkalinizes noodle dough (pH 9–11), tightening glutenin network and converting flavonoid pigments yellow | — |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
— | 70% Sucrose |
|
Caloric Value
|
— | 0.2 kcal / g (Legal EU/US: 0.0 kcal / g) kcal/g |
|
Glycemic Index (GI)
|
— | 0 (Zero effect on blood glucose or insulin levels) |
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