Sucrose acetate isobutyrate (E444)

Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate is a clear liquid food additive that works as an emulsifier, meaning that it helps mix water and fat. More specifically, the food additive helps to distribute and suspend the flavor oils in the beverage. This dietary supplement is formed by combining sucrose, which is sugar, with the chemical acetic anhydride and isobutyric anhydride.

Sucrose acetate isobutyrate is a pale straw liquid, clear and free of sediment, with a mild odor, a bitter aftertaste when used in large quantities, insoluble in water, and soluble in most organic solvents.

Used in many countries for over 30 years as a “weighing” or “density adjusting” agent in non-alcoholic carbonated and non-carbonated drinks.

Production E444

E444 is produced by controlled esterification of sucrose with acetic and isobutyric anhydrides. In accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 231/201 and JECFA (2006) produced by esterification of food grade sucrose with acetic anhydride and isobutyric anhydride after distillation; the molar ratio of acetate to butyrate is about 2:6.

Use in the food industry

E 444 is used in the food industry in the production of these food products: marmalade, jelly, creams, puddings, ice cream, yogurt, chewing gum.

Sucrose acetate isobutyrate plays an important role in maintaining the taste of the drink. In some sports drinks, sucrose acetate isobutyrate has replaced brominated vegetable oil, which is a dietary supplement associated with side effects such as memory loss, skin lesions, and nerve damage, according to a 2011 article published in Scientific American. Sucrose isobutyrate acetate is also used in energy and electrolyte drinks. The liquid emulsifier can also be found in a variety of alcoholic beverages, including malt drinks and bottled mixed drinks.

Sucrose acetate isobutyrate is commonly used as food additives such as stabilizers, weighting agents; means for preventing turbidity of the soft drink, to prevent the phenomenon of precipitation in the drink, or separation of its components. The food additive has the properties of lipids, can be used to control the density of the oil phase.

E444, due to its low volatility and difficult hydrolysis and discoloration, is non-toxic, which is why it has been used as a density modifier or weight modifier in carbonated and non-carbonated beverages for many years. Since sucrose acetate isobutyrate itself is neutral in taste, it does not affect the taste of the drink. It also has good oxidative stability and low calorie content (400 kcal/100 g).

Other applications

Sucrose acetate isobutyrate has various physical and chemical properties. It has a wide range of industrial applications:

  • for the manufacture of transparent paper, improving its heat and light resistance, printing ability;
  • in coatings and printing inks;
  • in cosmetics, skin care products;
  • in seasonings, means for fixing spices;
  • in flame retardants;
  • in pharmaceuticals.

The market for sucrose isobutyrate acetate is growing at a faster pace due to its wide range of uses in various coatings such as lipstick and lacquers, as it can create a higher VOC coating resulting in reduced solvent requirements. It also makes the material more flexible and reduces the glass transition temperature of the film. Sucrose acetate isobutyrate has several commercial uses in the food, beverage, cosmetics, and painting industries.

Safety and Health Issues

Sucrose isobutyrate acetate has been subjected to both animal and human studies to test safety and toxicity. In one study, it was shown that in dogs, a nutritional supplement is metabolized for a long time, the same was not observed in human studies.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers the dietary supplement safe, but has limited the allowable amount to 300 parts per million in alcoholic beverages.

As part of demonstrating the safety of sucrose acetate isobutyrate as a direct food additive in the human diet, a toxicity testing program was launched in the late 1950s that culminated in extensive studies in rodents, monkeys, and humans over the past decade.

This review summarizes the toxicity data accumulated up to 1988, which precede the safety studies published elsewhere in this issue. Sucrose acetate isobutyrate has been shown to have very low acute and chronic toxicity in rats, monkeys and, with the exception of liver effects, in dogs at nutritional levels up to 10% in the diet.

There are no direct side effects of sucrose acetate isobutyrate to worry about, but supplemented drinks can be a source of extra calories. For example, sports drinks should be limited to people who do cardio to replace carbohydrates, fluids, and electrolytes after prolonged exercise.

Additionally, energy drinks can be a source of sugar, and while some may be advertised as weight loss aids, they can actually lead to weight gain, according to a 2013 article in Today’s Dietitian.

According to some studies, sucrose acetate isobutyrate contributes to the accumulation of certain metal salts in the human body, which can have a negative effect on people, especially those with stomach diseases. It does not cause allergic reactions. And approved for use as a dietary supplement.

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