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Side-by-Side Comparison Food Additives & E-Numbers

E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) vs. E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist)

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

Comparing:

E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color)

E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist)

Highlight Diffs (10)

E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) →

E150a (Class I / Plain Caramel) is produced by controlled thermal heating of food carbohydrates without ammonium or sulfite compounds. INS 150a, ADI is Not Specified, yielding a warm brown-amber color in spirits, whiskey, and vinegars.

View full E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color) spec sheet →

E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist) →

E627 (Disodium 5'-Guanylate / GMP) is the sodium salt of guanylic acid, a purine nucleotide naturally concentrated in dried shiitake mushrooms. INS 627, ADI is Not Specified, exhibiting massive 8x–30x synergistic umami amplification when paired with MSG.

View full E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters

Parameter / Spec	E150a: Plain Caramel (Class I Caramel Color)	E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist)
E-Number Code	E150a	E627
INS / Codex Number	INS 150a	INS 627
Functional Class	Food Color (Brown), Aromatic Flavoring	Flavor Enhancer (Purine Nucleotide Umami Synergist)
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)	Not Specified (Quantum Satis / Highest purity class)	Not Specified (Quantum Satis)
Primary Mechanism	Pyrolysis and non-enzymatic caramelization forming high-molecular-weight chromophores	Binds allosteric site on T1R1/T1R3 umami receptor, locking glutamate into the orthosteric binding pocket
Common Target Foods	Scotch whisky, bourbon, brandy, rum, balsamic vinegar, craft ales	Savory snack seasonings (Doritos, chips), instant ramen noodle seasoning packets, bouillon cubes
Dietary Compliance	100% Vegan (Sugar derived), Halal, Kosher, 4-MEI Free	Vegan (Microbial fermentation of tapioca/sugar), Halal, Kosher
Safety Approval	EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 73.85)	EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 172.530)
Chemical Class	Complex polymeric carbohydrate breakdown caramelans, caramelens, caramelins	—
Chemical Formula	—	C10H12N5Na2O8P · xH2O

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