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Commission Directive 2008/84/EC (repealed)Show full title

Commission Directive 2008/84/EC of 27 August 2008 laying down specific purity criteria on food additives other than colours and sweeteners (Text with EEA relevance) (Codified version) (repealed)

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E 400 ALGINIC ACID

DefinitionLinear glycuronoglycan consisting mainly of β-(1-4) linked D-mannuronic and α-(1-4) linked L-guluronic acid units in pyranose ring form. Hydrophilic colloidal carbohydrate extracted by the use of dilute alkali from natural strains of various species of brown seaweeds (Phaeophyceae)
Einecs232-680-1
Chemical formula(C6H8O6)n
Molecular weight10 000-600 000 (typical average)
AssayAlginic acid yields, on the anhydrous basis, not less than 20 % and not more than 23 % of carbon dioxide (CO2), equivalent to not less than 91 % and not more than 104,5 % of alginic acid (C6H8O6)n (calculted on equivalent weight basis of 200)
DescriptionAlginic acid occurs in filamentous, grainy, granular and powdered forms. It is a white to yellowish brown and nearly odourless
Identification
A.Solubility
Insoluble in water and organic solvents, slowly soluble in solutions of sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide and trisodium phosphate
B.Calcium chloride precipitation test
To a 0,5 % solution of the sample in 1 M sodium hydroxide solution, add one fifth of its volume of a 2,5 % solution of calcium chloride. A voluminous, gelatinous precipitate is formed. This test distinguishes alginic acid from acacia gum, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl starch, carrageenan, gelatin, gum ghatti, karaya gum, locust bean gum, methyl cellulose and tragacanth gum
C.Ammonium sulphate precipitation test
To a 0,5 % solution of the sample in 1 M sodium hydroxide solution, add one half of its volume of a saturated solution of ammonium sulphate. No precipitate is formed. This test distinguishes alginic acid from agar, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, carrageenan, de-esterified pectin, gelatin, locust bean gum, methyl cellulose and starch
D.Colour reaction
Dissolve as completely as possible 0,01 g of the sample by shaking with 0,15 ml of 0,1 N sodium hydroxide and add 1 ml of acid ferric sulphate solution. Within 5 minutes, a cherry-red colour develops that finally becomes deep purple
Purity
pH of a 3 % suspensionBetween 2,0 and 3,5
Loss on dryingNot more than 15 % (105 oC, 4 hours)
Sulphated ashNot more than 8 % on the anhydrous basis
Sodium hydroxide (1 M solution)Not more than 2 % on the anhydrous basis insoluble matter
ArsenicNot more than 3 mg/kg
LeadNot more than 5 mg/kg
MercuryNot more than 1 mg/kg
CadmiumNot more than 1 mg/kg
Heavy metals (as Pb)Not more than 20 mg/kg
Total plate countNot more than 5 000 colonies per gram
Yeast and mouldsNot more than 500 colonies per gram
E. coliNegative in 5 g
Salmonella spp.Negative in 10 g

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