The Food Additive Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate (E-476): Structure, Applications, and Production Methods
Table 3
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