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

E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E631: Disodium Inosinate (IMP Meat Umami Synergist)

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

Comparing:
E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt)
E631: Disodium Inosinate (IMP Meat Umami Synergist)

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 →

E631 (Disodium 5'-Inosinate / IMP) is the sodium salt of inosinic acid, a purine nucleotide naturally found in aged beef, katsuobushi bonito flakes, and cured meats. INS 631, ADI is Not Specified, multiplying glutamate umami flavor.

View full E631: Disodium Inosinate (IMP Meat Umami Synergist) spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

9 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
E-Number Code
E501 E631
INS / Codex Number
INS 501(i) (Potassium Carbonate) INS 631
Functional Class
Acidity Regulator, Alkaline Leavening, Kansui Salt Flavor Enhancer (Meat Purine Umami Synergist)
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) Not Specified (Quantum Satis)
Chemical Formula
K2CO3 C10H11N4Na2O8P · xH2O
Primary Mechanism
Alkalinizes noodle dough (pH 9–11), tightening glutenin network and converting flavonoid pigments yellow Allosteric conformational stabilizer of human T1R1/T1R3 G-protein umami receptor heterodimer
Common Target Foods
Ramen noodles (Kansui), Dutch-process alkalized cocoa powder, gingerbread leavening Instant soups, meat seasonings, potato chips, canned meat gravies, cured snacks
Dietary Compliance
Vegan (Mineral salt), Halal, Kosher Vegan (Bacterial Corynebacterium fermentation standard), Halal, Kosher
Safety Approval
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1619) EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 172.535)

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E163: Anthocyanins (Grape Skin & Berry Red/Purple) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E170: Calcium Carbonate (Mineral White Color / Anti-Caking) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E200: Sorbic Acid (Antifungal Preservative) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E202: Potassium Sorbate (Soluble Antimicrobial) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E211: Sodium Benzoate (Acid Beverage Preservative) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E220: Sulfur Dioxide (Antioxidant & Wine Preservative) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E224: Potassium Metabisulfite (Campden Salt) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E250: Sodium Nitrite (Curing Salt / Anti-Botulism Preservative) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E251: Sodium Nitrate (Chile Saltpeter / Slow Curing) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E260: Acetic Acid (Vinegar Acidulant / Preservative) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E270: Lactic Acid (Biological Acidulant) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E282: Calcium Propionate (Bread Anti-Mold) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E290: Carbon Dioxide (Carbonation & MAP Gas) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E300: L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C Antioxidant & Flour Improver) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E306: Tocopherol-Rich Extract (Natural Vitamin E Antioxidant) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E322: Lecithin (Phospholipid Emulsifier & Viscosity Reducer) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E330: Citric Acid (Universal Acidulant / Chelator) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E334: L-Tartaric Acid (Wine & Baking Acidulant) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E338: Phosphoric Acid (Cola Acidulant) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E407: Carrageenan (Dairy Stabilizer Hydrocolloid) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E410: Locust Bean Gum (Carob Bean Gum / LBG) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E412: Guar Gum (Cold-Soluble Galactomannan) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E414: Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum Emulsifier) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E415: Xanthan Gum (Pseudoplastic Hydrocolloid Thickener) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E422: Glycerol (Glycerin Humectant & Solvent) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E440: Pectin (Citrus & Apple Jam Gelling Fiber) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E460: Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC / Dietary Bulking) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E471: Mono- & Diglycerides of Fatty Acids (Bread Softener) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E500: Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda / Ins 500ii) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E503: Ammonium Bicarbonate (Baker's Ammonia / Hartshorn) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E509: Calcium Chloride (Firming Agent / Cheese Salt) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E621: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Umami Flavor Enhancer) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E627: Disodium Guanylate (GMP Umami Synergist) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E635: Disodium 5'-Ribonucleotides (I+G Blend) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E950: Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K / 200x Sweetener) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E951: Aspartame (Dipeptide Sweetener / 200x) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E955: Sucralose (Splenda / 600x Heat-Stable Sweetener) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E965: Maltitol (Sugar Alcohol / 90% Sweetness) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E967: Xylitol (Birch Sugar / Dental Caries Inhibitor) → Compare E501: Potassium Carbonate (Potash / Alkaline Noodle Salt) vs. E968: Erythritol (Zero-Calorie Fermented Polyol) →