Side-by-Side Comparison
Food Additives & E-Numbers
E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel) vs. E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract)
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
Comparing:
E406: Agar-Agar (Seaweed Hydrocolloid Gel)
E960: Steviol Glycosides (Reb-A / Stevia Extract)
E406 (Agar-Agar) is a natural sulfated galactan polysaccharide hydrocolloid extracted from red algae seaweeds (Rhodophyta). INS 406, ADI is Not Limited (Quantum Satis), forming firm, brittle thermoreversible gels with huge hysteresis (melts at 85°C, sets at 35°C).
E960 (Steviol Glycosides / Rebaudioside A) is a natural zero-calorie sweetener water-extracted from the leaves of the Stevia plant (Stevia rebaudiana). INS 960a, ADI is 4 mg/kg bw/day (as steviol equivalents), providing 250–350x sucrose sweetness.
Specification Comparison Table
12 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
E-Number Code
|
E406 | E960 |
|
INS / Codex Number
|
INS 406 | INS 960a / 960c |
|
Functional Class
|
Gelling Agent, Thickener, Stabilizer (Plant Gelatin Alternative) | Natural High-Intensity Sweetener |
|
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
|
Not Limited (Quantum Satis) | 4 mg / kg body weight per day (as steviol equivalents) |
|
Common Target Foods
|
Vegan jellies, Asian desserts (Yokan), confectionery glazes, microbiological agar plates | Natural zero-calorie sodas (Zevia), flavored yogurts, protein shakes, tabletop drops |
|
Dietary Compliance
|
100% Vegan (Red marine algae), Halal, Kosher (Animal-gelatin free) | 100% Vegan (Stevia leaf water extraction), Halal, Kosher, Non-GMO |
|
Safety Approval
|
EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS (21 CFR 184.1115) | EFSA Authorized / FDA GRAS Notices (GRN 252) |
|
Chemical Components
|
Agarose (Gelling polymer) and Agaropektin (Sulfated polymer) | — |
|
Primary Mechanism
|
Forms double helices that aggregate into rigid 3D water-trapping gel matrices | — |
|
Relative Sweetness Index
|
— | 250 – 350x Sucrose (Reb-A >98%) |
|
Caloric Value
|
— | 0.0 kcal / g kcal/g |
|
Glycemic Index (GI)
|
— | 0 (Zero effect on blood glucose or insulin) |
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