Comparing E440 - Pectins vs E401 - sodium alginate
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 14,322 products
Found in 3,526 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
What is fruit pectin?
Fruit pectin is a plant-derived soluble fiber (a polysaccharide) from fruit cell walls, extracted mainly from citrus peels or apples and used as a natural gelling agent for jams and jellies.
Is pectin bad for you?
No—pectin is generally recognized as safe and is a soluble dietary fiber; in large amounts it may cause gas or bloating and can reduce absorption of some medicines if taken at the same time.
What is pectin made of?
Pectin is a complex carbohydrate polymer rich in galacturonic acid units, extracted from plant cell walls—commercially most often from citrus peels and apple pomace.
Is pectin vegan?
Yes; pectin is plant-derived and considered vegan, as it’s extracted from fruit byproducts.
What is pectin used for?
It’s used as a gelling agent in jams and jellies and as a thickener/stabilizer in desserts, confectionery, fruit preparations, and some juices or milk drinks, and it also contributes dietary fiber.
How to make popping boba without sodium alginate?
True popping boba relies on sodium alginate/calcium spherification; without it, you can make similar beads using agar or gelatin (e.g., drip 0.8–1% agar-juice into very cold oil), but they won’t have a liquid center. Some use low‑methoxyl pectin with calcium to create thin skins, but results are less consistent than with alginate.
Is sodium alginate bad for you?
No—food‑grade sodium alginate is widely approved (e.g., FDA GRAS, EFSA) and is considered safe at typical food levels because it’s poorly absorbed. Large supplemental amounts may cause gas or affect mineral absorption in some people, and those on strict low‑sodium plans should check labels.
What is sodium alginate used for?
It’s a seaweed‑derived thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent that forms gels with calcium—used for spherification, suspending particles in beverages, and improving texture in sauces, dairy, and desserts. It’s also used in some reflux products to form a protective “raft.”
How to use sodium alginate for reflux?
Alginate reflux remedies combine alginate with antacids to form a foamy “raft” on stomach contents; use an approved OTC product and follow its label (typically after meals and at bedtime). DIY use of food‑grade sodium alginate for reflux isn’t recommended—ask a pharmacist or clinician for suitable products.
How to make sodium alginate?
Commercial sodium alginate is produced from brown seaweeds via alkaline extraction of alginic acid, filtration, precipitation, conversion to the sodium salt, then drying and milling. It isn’t practical to make food‑grade sodium alginate at home; purchase certified food‑grade material instead.