E 440 (ii) AMIDATED PECTIN

Commission Directive 98/86/EC

Definition 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 natural 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 propane-2-ol

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 greyish or light brownish 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)

Degree of amidation Not more than 25 % of total carboxyl groups

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

Nitrogen content Not more than 2,5 % after washing with acid and ethanol

Free methanol, ethanol and propane-2-ol Not more than 1 % single or in combination, on a volatile matter-free

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