E 440 (i) PECTIN

Commission Directive 98/86/EC

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 natural strains of appropriate edible plant material, usually citrus fruits or apples. No organic precipitant shall be used other than methanol, ethanol and propane-2-ol

Einecs 232-553-0

Assay Content not less than 65 % of galacturonic acid on the ash-free and anhydrous basis after washing with acid and alcohol

Description White, light yellow, light grey or light brown powder

Identification

A. Solubility Soluble in water forming a colloidal, opalescent solution. Insoluble in ethanol

Purity

Loss on drying Not more than 12 % (105°C, 2 hours)

Acid insoluble ash Not more than 1 % (insoluble in approximately 3N hydrochloric acid)

Sulphur dioxide Not more than 50 mg/kg on the anhydrous basis

Nitrogen content Not more than 1,0 % after washing with acid and ethanol

Free methanol, ethanol and propane-2-ol Not more than 1 %, singly or in combination, on the anhydrous basis

Arsenic Not more than 3 mg/kg

Lead Not more than 5 mg/kg

Mercury Not more than 1 mg/kg

Cadmium Not more than 1 mg/kg

Heavy metals (as Pb) Not more than 20 mg/kg