International Scholarly Research Notices

Review Article

The Food Additive Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate (E-476): Structure, Applications, and Production Methods

Purity criteria on food additives other than colours and sweeteners. European Directive 2008/84/EC.


E 476 polyglycerol polyricinoleate

Synonyms	Glycerol esters of condensed castor oil fatty acids Polyglycerol esters of polycondensed fatty acids from castor oil Polyglycerol esters of interesterified ricinoleic acid PGPR

Definition	Polyglycerol polyricinoleate is prepared by the esterification of polyglycerol with condensed castor oil fatty acids

Description	Clear, highly viscous liquid

Identification
(A) Solubility	Insoluble in water and in ethanol Soluble in ether, hydrocarbons, and halogenated hydrocarbons
(B) Positive tests for glycerol, polyglycerol, and for ricinoleic acid
(C) Refractive index [n]⁶⁵	Between 1.4630 and 1.4665

Purity
Polyglycerols	The polyglycerol moiety shall be composed of not less than 75% of di-, tri-, and tetraglycerols and shall contain not more than 10% of polyglycerols equal to or higher than heptaglycerol
Hydroxyl value	Not less than 80 and not more than 100
Acid value	Not more than 6
Arsenic	Not more than 3 mg/kg
Lead	Not more than 5 mg/kg
Mercury	Not more than 1 mg/kg
Cadmium	Not more than 1 mg/kg
Heavy metals (as Pb)	Not more than 10 mg/kg