Table 1.
Specifications for pectin (E 440i) and amidated pectin (E 440ii) according to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 and JECFA (2016b)
| Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 | JECFA (2016b) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pectin (E 440i) | Amidated pectin (E 440ii) | Pectins (INS 440) | |
| Definition | Pectin consists mainly of the partial methyl esters of polygalacturonic acid and their ammonium, sodium, potassium and calcium salts. It is obtained by extraction in an aqueous medium of strains of appropriate edible plant material, usually citrus fruits or apples. No organic precipitant shall be used other than methanol, ethanol and propan‐2‐ol | Amidated pectin consists mainly of the partial methyl esters and amides of polygalacturonic acid and their ammonium, sodium, potassium and calcium salts. It is obtained by extraction in an aqueous medium of appropriate strains of edible plant material, usually citrus fruits or apples and treatment with ammonia under alkaline conditions. No organic precipitant shall be used other than methanol, ethanol and propan‐2‐ol | Consists mainly of the partial methyl esters of polygalacturonic acid and their sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium salts; obtained by extraction in an aqueous medium of appropriate edible plant material, usually citrus fruits or apples; no organic precipitants shall be used other than methanol, ethanol and isopropanol; in some types, a portion of the methyl esters may have been converted to primary amides by treatment with ammonia under alkaline conditions. Sulfur dioxide may be added as a preservative |
| Assay | Content not less than 65% of galacturonic acid on the ash‐free and anhydrous basis after washing with acid and alcohol | Content not less than 65% of galacturonic acid on the ash‐free and anhydrous basis after washing with acid and alcohol | Not less than 65% of galacturonic acid calculated on the ash‐free and dried basis |
| Description | White, light yellow, light grey or light brown powder | White, light yellow, light greyish or light brownish powder | White, yellowish, light greyish or light brownish powder |
| Identification | |||
| Solubility | Soluble in water forming a colloidal, opalescent solution. Insoluble in ethanol | Soluble in water forming a colloidal, opalescent solution. Insoluble in ethanol | – |
| Test for pectins | – | – | Passes test |
| Test for amide group | – | – | Passes test (amidated pectins only) |
| Purity | |||
| Loss on drying | Not more than 12% (105°C, 2 h) | Not more than 12% (105°C, 2 h) | Not more than 12% (105°C, 2 h) |
| Acid insoluble ash | Not more than 1% (insoluble in approximately 3N hydrochloric acid) | Not more than 1% (insoluble in approximately 3N hydrochloric acid) | Not more than 1% |
| Degree of amidation | – | Not more than 25% of total carboxyl groups | Not more than 25% of total carboxyl groups of pectin |
| Sulfur dioxide | Not more than 50 mg/kg on the anhydrous basis | Not more than 50 mg/kg on the anhydrous basis | Not more than 50 mg/kg |
| Nitrogen content | Not more than 1.0% after washing with acid and ethanol | Not more than 2.5% after washing with acid and ethanol | Not more than 2.5% after washing with acid and ethanol |
| Total insolubles | Not more than 3% | Not more than 3% | Not more than 3% |
| Solvent residues | Not more than 1% of free methanol, ethanol and propan‐2‐ol, singly or in combination, on the volatile matter‐free basis | Not more than 1% of free methanol, ethanol and propan‐2‐ol, singly or in combination, on the volatile matter‐free basis | Not more than 1% methanol, ethanol and isopropanol, singly or in combination |
| Arsenic | Not more than 3 mg/kg | Not more than 3 mg/kg | – |
| Lead | Not more than 5 mg/kg | Not more than 5 mg/kg | Not more than 2 mg/kg for general use and 0.5 mg/kg for use in infant formula |
| Mercury | Not more than 1 mg/kg | Not more than 1 mg/kg | – |
| Cadmium | Not more than 1 mg/kg | Not more than 1 mg/kg | – |