Question

Additives Dextrose Function GRAS - is a form of glucose that comes from corn and sometimes other plants. It acts as a sweeteners and companies add this to certain products to extend their shelf life. Carrageenan Mono and Diglycerides Cellulose gum Polysorbate 80 Sodium citrate Disodium phosphate

Answer 1

Carrageenan

Carrageean is a high molecular weight linear polysaccharide that is extracted from the red sea weed species. It is used as an additive used to thicken, emulsify and preserve foods and bottled drinks.

Mono and Diglycerides

Mono and diglycerides are fatty acids. While making the mono and diglyceride, the process may use animal fats or vegetable oils as starting material. An alkaline catalyst is used with a high temperature to create a blend of mono- di and triglyceride and glycerol. By the process of distillation, mono glyceride can be seperated from this mixture. Mono and diglycerides are emulsifiers and helps the blending of oil and water. They are also used as food additives in processed food.

Cellulose gum

Cellulose gum is a carboxy methyl cellulose made from naturally occuring wood or cotton cellulose. It is used as a thickening agent and used in all kinds of food products. Cellulose gum is used in bottled fruit juices to make juices that have the same texture and prevents watery and having low calories.

Poly sorbate 80

It is made from poly ethoxylated sorbitan ( chemical compounds derieved from the dehydration of sugar alcohol) and oleic acid. Poly sorbate 80 is used as an emulsifier or defoamer in foods, vitamins, medicines and vaccines. Because of its preservative nature, Poly sorbate 80 is used in the preparation of vitamins, tablets and supplements. It is also used as a surfectant in soaps and cosmetics and also as a lubricant in eye drops.

Sodium citrate

Sodium citrate is the trisodium salt of citric acid. Used as a flavouring agent and anti coagulant. Sodium citrate gives club soda both its sour and salty flavour. It reduces the acidity of foods and also used as an anti oxidant in food as well as sequestrant.

Di sodium phosphate

Di sodium phosphate is the sodium salt derieved from phosphate rock in the earth. Di sodium phosphate is a food additive that combines the minerals, phosphate or phospherous and sodium. It is used to enhance the food characteristics such as the nutritional values and cooking performance. Di sodium phosphate is used in packaged foods, including macaroni and pastas and used in some cheeses as an emulsifier. Di sodium phosphate helps to regulate the acidity of the food, thickens it, stabilize and maintains adequate moisture level.