Comparing E331 - Sodium citrates vs E339III - Trisodium phosphate
Overview
Synonyms
Functions
Products
Found in 14,247 products
Found in 1,058 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Search history data is not available.
Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
What is e331 in food?
E331 is sodium citrates—the mono-, di-, and trisodium salts of citric acid—used mainly as acidity regulators/buffers, sequestrants, and emulsifying salts in foods like soft drinks and processed cheese.
How are sodium citrates used in molecular gastronomy?
They’re used to adjust and buffer pH, chelate calcium, and act as an emulsifying salt—commonly to make ultra-smooth, meltable cheese sauces and to tune acidity/calcium levels for techniques like spherification and stabilizing foams.
What are sodium citrates degradation byproducts?
Under normal food use they’re stable; with strong heating/combustion they decompose to carbon oxides (CO2/CO) and sodium oxides (and related inorganic residues).
Why does sodium citrates burn?
It isn’t flammable; any “burning” sensation typically comes from irritation of skin, eyes, or mouth at high concentrations due to its mildly alkaline, saline nature, and on heating it decomposes rather than sustaining a flame.
What is trisodium phosphate used for?
It’s a synthetic phosphate salt (E339iii) used in foods as an acidity regulator/buffer, emulsifier, stabilizer, sequestrant, and moisture-binding agent to improve texture, retain moisture, and prevent discoloration.
Why is trisodium phosphate in cereal?
It helps control pH during processing/extrusion and improves texture and crunch, and it can chelate metals to prevent off-colors or clumping.
Is trisodium phosphate bad for you?
At approved food levels it’s considered safe by regulators (e.g., FDA GRAS; EFSA sets a group ADI for phosphates), but people with kidney disease or those limiting phosphorus or sodium should monitor intake.
Is trisodium phosphate poisonous?
Food-grade amounts used in foods are not poisonous; however, concentrated/non‑food forms are caustic and ingesting large amounts can be harmful.
Is trisodium phosphate in cereal bad for you?
The small amounts used in cereal are within regulatory limits and not considered harmful for the general population; the main concern is overall phosphorus and sodium intake. Those with kidney disease or on phosphate‑restricted diets should limit added phosphate sources.