Polydextrose is a synthetic, low-calorie bulking agent used by food manufacturers to increase the fiber content of their products and replace sugar or fat. It is not considered a sweetener, since it does not contribute any calories. E1200 is the number using Polyglucose as a food additive in the European Union.
What is polydextrose in food?
In food preparation, Polyglucose is heavily used to reduce calories in food because its digestible energy value is low. Although it is made with glucose, it’s not all sweet, even tastes slightly sour, and therefore not cooperative sweeteners. But generally, it can replace sugar, starch, and fat in foods such as baked goods and ice cream.
What is polydextrose：
Definition
Polydextrose is a modified form of dextrose (a type of sugar) that occurs naturally in some plants, including wheat. Polydextrose can be used as a food additive and as a dietary fiber supplement. It has about 60% the caloric value of sucrose, or table sugar, but it is not digestible. ( 1)
Polydextrose was first approved for use as a food additive in 1981 and is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in specific foods and beverages. The FDA also allows it to be used as a general-purpose sweetener and bulking agent in many other foods.
Polydextrose can help improve the texture and shelf life of some foods because it acts like a thickening agent when mixed with water. It may also help reduce calories in foods without reducing flavor or texture.
What is polydextrose used for?
Polydextrose is an indigestible carbohydrate that is used as a food additive or dietary supplement. It is often used to replace sugar and fat in processed foods. Polydextrose has been shown to have benefits in lowering blood sugar levels, reducing cholesterol, and improving digestive health.
Polydextrose can be used in place of sugar and corn syrup in many recipes. It does not affect the taste of foods, but it does change their texture slightly. For example, cakes made with polydextrose tend to have a slightly grainy texture when compared with cakes made with sugar or corn syrup.
Polydextrose can be used in place of fat or oil when baking cookies, brownies, muffins, cakes, and other baked goods. The substitution will result in baked goods that are lower in calories than those made with traditional fats or oils. However, some recipes may need additional tweaking (e.g., increasing the amount of flour) in order for them to work properly when using polydextrose instead of fat or oil.
Polydextrose can also be added to smoothies and juices as a thickener or sweetener without altering their taste or texture significantly.
What is Polyglucose made from?
Polyglucose is made by concentrating three natural ingredients extracted from corn under a high-temperature vacuum: glucose, sorbitol, and citric acid.
It can be neutralized with a base, decolorized, and further purified using ion exchange.
Polydextrose-N is a neutralized form of polydextrose. The residual glucose can also be reduced by partially hydrogenating it with a Raney nickel catalyst.
What is Polyglucose made of?
Polyglucose is made from glucose monomers linked together by non-covalent bonds. It is a polysaccharide and has a molecular weight of about 10,000 Daltons. It has a high solubility in water and is used as a thickening agent.
Polyglucose can be prepared from cornstarch hydrolysis and dextrose fermentation. The process involves the use of genetically modified microorganisms to produce enzymes that break down starch into smaller sugars. These sugars can then be fermented further to produce ethanol or other biofuels.
Commercially sold polyglucose is made from corn starch, which is broken down into glucose monomers using enzymes produced by genetically modified bacteria or yeast.
What are the health benefits of Polyglucose?
Polyglucose in addition to having insoluble dietary fiber unique significantly increased fecal volume, enhances defecation, reduces the risk of intestinal cancer, etc., also has insoluble dietary fiber that does not have or no obvious function, such as combining to remove bile acid in the body, significantly reduce serum cholesterol and the blood glucose level after meals, etc.
The FDA plans to propose that it be added to the definition of dietary fiber and may have the following benefits for humans :
- Lowering blood glucose
- Reduce cholesterol
- Lowering blood pressure
- improved laxation
- Increased mineral absorption
- Reduce energy intake (e. g., as fiber, promotes satiety)
It may have prebiotic benefits as well as weight-control benefits in some people.
In 2011, EFSA concluded that foods/drinks containing polydextrose cause lower post-prandial glycaemic and insulinemic responses than sugar-containing foods.
Properties
Appearance
Milk white or light yellow granular, dissolved in water, and form a transparent straw color solution.
Solubility
Easy soluble in water, solubility was 80% and the PH of 10% aqueous solution was 2.5-7.0.
CAS Number
68424-04-4
Molecular Weight
Polyglucose is a highly branched chain glucose polymer with a molecular weight (mw) of is between 162 and 20,000, and almost the vast majority of its molecular weights are between 504 and 5,000.
What is the application of polydextrose?
Polydextrose (E1200) is widely used in a range of food products for its low calorie, low glycemic index, and dietary fiber content. Polydextrose serves as a bulking agent and can be found in baked goods, dairy products, confections, beverages, and more. ( 2)
In general, polyglucose functions as follows:
- Reduced sugars or alternative sugars
- fat substitutes
- Reducing calories
- Loweringglycemic index
- Fiber supplement
- Prebiotic enrichment
- Melard brown change
In addition to these functions, it can also act as a stabilizer, thickener, moisturizer, and carrier.
Food
The FDA authorizes polyglucose for use in various product categories, including steamed bread, bread, and other noodle products, baked goods, candy, frosting and salad dressing, milk, soy milk, yogurt, ham, and lunch meat products; various fruit juice, carbonated drinks and desserts; and snack foods such as pudding and jelly. It can even be used in a single and a variety of vitamin and mineral calcium tablets and health care products, mainly in capsules, tablets, oral liquid, flushing, and other directly taken.
Bakery
Polyglucose also is a humectant and water-binding additive that helps maintain the texture and mouthfeel of bread, rolls, cakes, and cookies. It also is used as a low-calorie bulking agent to replace sugar or fat in baked goods.
Dairy food
Generally, polyglucose acts as an alternative to fat and sugar. While reducing sugar for low fat and low sugar dairy products, it also provides a silky, fat taste and texture. Therefore, polyglucose is widely used in frozen dairy products, yogurt, and ice cream.
Confectionery
It provides the same mouth feel, taste and texture as sugar and is often used in sugar-free confections such as chocolate bars and candies, ice cream, sherbet, yogurt, salad dressing and frozen desserts. Hundreds of companies in countries like India use Polydextrose on an industrial scale as a cheap alternative to sugar.
Beverage
As a dietary fiber, it adds a neutral flavor and a fullness to the mouthfeel of the drinks. In carbonated drinks, it may improve flavor release during sipping by inhibiting flavor dilution in the beverage.
Cosmetics
Polydextrose is an ingredient that is used in an array of personal care and cosmetic products such as moisturizers, lipsticks, hair conditioners, and cleansing products. Polydextrose is a type of dietary fiber (polysaccharide) and is produced by binding glucose molecules to form a multi-bonded chain. As a water-soluble fiber, this product functions as a bulking agent and humectant as described in the European Commission database.
Is Polydextrose safe?
Yes, the safety of polyglucose as a food additive has been certified by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Administration (EFSA), and other relevant authorities.
FDA
The Food and Drug Administration has determined that polydextrose may be safely used as a bulking agent, humectant, texturizer, and formulation aid in all foods except meat products, baby food, and formula.
EFSA
Polydextrose (E1200) is a polysaccharide used as an emulsifier and bulking agent in processed foods. It has been included in the list of authorized food additives by Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 and categorized as “additives other than colors and sweeteners.”
Authorised Uses And Use Levels
Also on the European Union’s quantum satire (QS), Polydextrose was approved for the following food categories.
E1200 is the International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients, which lists its application in Group I.
Foods containing polyglucose mainly include:
- Sweeteners available in powder and tablet form for tabletop use
- Energy lowering and low alcohol beer
Moreover, Polyglucose was authorized as a carrier.
UK Food Standards Agency
Classified in the “Others” section
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
The ingredient is approved for use in Australia and New Zealand with code number 1200.
JECFA
Function Level: Food additive, bulking agent, humectant, stabilizer, and thickener.
Daily Intake: In 1987, ADI was not specified.
Differences between Polyglucose and Dextrose
Polydextrose, also referred to as corn sugar, is a synthetic polymer of dextrose and the composition of the polymer includes sorbitol and citric acid which achieves sweetening effects in foods like cakes. When compared to Dextrose, it is said that this product is 90% as sweet but has approximately 30% fewer calories because of the presence of sorbitol and citric acid. This product was discovered by researchers at Cerestar Chemicals Corp. Polydextrose can also be found as a food additive as well.
What are the possible side effects of polyglucose?
There are concerns that the use of polyglucose as a food additive will pose some safety risks. Consumers tend to consume natural food additives rather than synthetic ingredients in the food. In fact, the poly grape itself is generally not a threat, but some people may have an allergic reaction after eating it.
The most common side effects of polyglucose include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Gas and bloating
Consult your doctor or pharmacist if any of these side effects occur. They may be able to suggest an alternative treatment that doesn’t cause these side effects.
Allergy
The FDA regulation 21CFR172.841 states that sensitive individuals may experience a laxative effect from excessive consumption of more than 15g.
Is polyglucose safe for pregnant?
Yes, it is generally safe but you should consult with your doctor before using it if you have any medical conditions.
Where to buy polyglucose?
The best place to buy polyglucose (also known as PGA) is from a manufacturer that has a good reputation and can provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.
There are many companies that sell this product, but not all of them have been successful in their business ventures and have gone out of business. if you buy polyglucose in bulk quantities, you can consider purchasing from Grade Chemical. Grade Chemical is one reliable polyglucose supplier in China, they can supply polyglucose to you at a competitive prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is polyglucose Natural?
No, polyglucose is not natural. Polyglucose is made from glucose and galactose, which are both naturally-occurring sugars. However, the process by which polyglucose is created involves a chemical reaction that results in a compound that is not found in nature.
Is polyglucose Halal?
The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA) has ruled that polyglucose does not contain any ingredient derived from animals or meat products. Therefore, it is halal for Muslims to consume polyglucose-containing products.
Is polyglucose Kosher?
Polyglucose is not Kosher. Polyglucose is a polysaccharide that has been made from starch, which is considered non-kosher.
Is polyglucose Vegan?
The product is vegan-friendly because the manufacturing process does not contain any animal ingredients or byproducts. So it is suitable for vegetarians to add it to their diets.
Is polyglucose Gluten Free?
Polyglucose does not contain gluten, so it is safe for people with gluten intolerance to consume. It does not contain any proteins from grains that may cause allergic reactions or digestive distress in some people.
Why polyglucose can be used as a fat substitute?
Polyglucose is a polysaccharide, or a large molecule made up of many smaller sugar molecules. It can be used as a fat substitute because it is indigestible and has no caloric value. It is also very low in fat, containing only 0.5% of the calories found in fat while still providing all the nutrients that fats provide.
Is Polyglucose a Sugar?
Polyglucose is a sugar, but not in the same way as regular table sugar. Polyglucose is a polysaccharide, which means that it’s made up of many smaller sugar molecules joined together. Polyglucose also refers to any of a number of sugars that are used as food additives or sweeteners.
Is Polyglucose a Sugar alcohol?
No, although xanthan gum contains a little sorbitol, it is not a sugar alcohol.
Is polydextrose an artificial sweetener?
No, polydextrose is not an artificial sweetener. It is a soluble dietary fiber that contains glucose and many other compounds. It is low in calories and does not raise blood sugar levels. The FDA has approved it as safe for use in foods, but there have been some concerns about its use in certain products because it can cause digestive distress, like bloating and gas.
Is Polyglucose keto?
Polyglucose is neither ketogenic nor non-ketogenic.
Polyglucose is a glucose polymer, which means it’s a chain of many glucose molecules. It has been found to be non-toxic and non-carcinogenic, but we don’t know yet how it will affect your metabolism.
Conclusion
We have studied this food additive– Polydextrose(E1200): the production process, use, approved safety, and side effects. You may also be aware of some common FAQs such as whether is it gluten-free or vegan.
If you have any questions about this additive? Let us know in the below comments.
