Did you know that the food additive E471 can be found in sausages ? InfoCons Consumer Protection informs you about mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids !
Food additives E471 – mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids are among the most widely used non-ionic, lipophilic emulsifiers. They function as thickening agents, emulsifiers, stabilisers, glazing agents, and anti-foaming agents.
They may contain stearic, palmitic, or oleic acid in their structure and may also include small amounts of free fatty acids and glycerine.
Diglycerides may be simple, when they are formed from two molecules of the same esterified fatty acid, or mixed, when the two fatty acids are different.
Synonyms: glycerol monostearate, glycerol monopalmitate, glycerol monooleate, monostearin, monopalmitin, monoolein, or GMS for glycerol monostearate.
In 2025, InfoCons conducted a study on sausage-type meat products available on the Romanian market, in which the food additive E471 / mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids was identified in 2.13% of the analysed products.
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How Are E471 Additives Obtained?
Industrially, food additives E471 – mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids are obtained using the following methods:
- Berthelot method – direct esterification of glycerine with fatty acids at high temperatures;
- Transesterification reaction of fats with glycerine, which takes place at temperatures of 220–240°C, in the presence of an alkaline catalyst.
The raw materials used include hydrogenated lard, beef tallow, and hydrogenated soybean, sunflower, and cottonseed oils. Alkaline substances, zinc oxides, tin oxides, or zinc and tin soaps are used as catalysts.
The final product contains 45% monoglycerides, 45% diglycerides, and 10% triglycerides, along with traces of glycerol and free fatty acids; - Partial hydrolysis of fats at high temperature and pressure;
- Interesterification of fats.
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What Are the Main Monoglycerides?
The main monoglycerides include:
- Glyceryl 1-monolaurate
A semi-solid, cream-coloured substance.
Molecular formula: C₁₅H₃₀O₄, molecular weight M = 274.39.
It disperses in alcohol and oil and is used as an anti-foaming agent. - Glyceryl monopalmitate
A solid, waxy, cream-coloured substance.
Molecular formula: C₁₆H₃₄O₄, molecular weight M = 302.45.
It disperses in water and alcohol when heated and in oil.
It has a characteristic oily odour. - Glyceryl 1-monostearate
In its pure form, it is a white solid substance.
Molecular formula: C₂₁H₄₂O₄, molecular weight M = 358.55.
It disperses in boiling water but is insoluble in hot alcohol and oil. - Glyceryl 1-monooleate
A yellow, oily liquid substance.
Molecular formula: C₂₁H₄₀O₄, molecular weight M = 356.54.
It is soluble in ethanol and insoluble in water.
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There are also acetylated or succinated mono- and diglycerides.
Source : InfoCons Communication Department