Comparing E451 - Triphosphates vs E339 - Sodium phosphates

Overview

E451 - Triphosphates

Triphosphates (E451) are salts of condensed phosphates used to keep foods moist, stable, and evenly mixed. They are common in processed meats and seafood, where they help bind water, protect texture, and prevent off-flavors from metal ions. Approval and use levels vary by country, but they are widely permitted for specific uses.

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E339 - Sodium phosphates

Sodium phosphates (E339) are a group of sodium salts of phosphoric acid used to control acidity, hold moisture, and keep mixtures smooth. In foods, they help cheeses melt evenly, baked goods rise properly, and meat stay juicy. They appear on labels as monosodium, disodium, or trisodium phosphate.

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Synonyms
E451
Triphosphates
triphosphate
E 451
e-451
E339
Sodium phosphates
sodium phosphate
Functions
emulsifying saltsequestrantstabilizer
acidity regulatoremulsifying saltsequestrantstabilizer
Origins
Synthetic
Mineral
Synthetic
Mineral
Products

Found in 169 products

Found in 1,968 products

Search rank & volume
#2841.1K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#330450 / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×0.91
normal

×0.04
under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 5 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

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Popular questions

  1. What is adenosine triphosphate?

    Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a biological energy-carrying molecule and not the food additive E451; E451 refers to inorganic triphosphates (e.g., sodium tripolyphosphate) used in foods as sequestrants and stabilisers.

  2. What is sodium triphosphate?

    Sodium triphosphate (sodium tripolyphosphate, STPP; Na5P3O10) is the E451 additive—an inorganic triphosphate used to bind metal ions, retain moisture, and improve texture in foods.

  3. Which of the following statements about inositol triphosphate is false?

    It’s false to claim that inositol triphosphate is E451 or used as a food additive; E451 is inorganic tripolyphosphate salts (e.g., STPP), not the cellular messenger IP3.

  4. What are nucleoside triphosphates?

    Nucleoside triphosphates (e.g., ATP, GTP) are biological building blocks of nucleic acids and energy carriers, not the E451 additive; E451 comprises inorganic triphosphate salts used as sequestrants and stabilisers in foods.

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  1. How are sodium phosphates made?

    They’re produced by neutralizing food‑grade phosphoric acid with sodium hydroxide, carbonate, or bicarbonate to the desired ratio to yield mono-, di-, or trisodium phosphate, then crystallizing (often as hydrates); condensed polyphosphates are made by dehydrating/condensing orthophosphates at elevated temperatures.

  2. How do saline enema sodium phosphates work?

    They act as hyperosmotic salts that draw water into the colon, increasing volume and stimulating peristalsis to trigger a bowel movement; improper use can cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances, so they should be used only as directed.

  3. How does sodium aluminate react with phosphates?

    In water, sodium aluminate hydrolyzes to Al(OH)3, which binds phosphate and precipitates it as insoluble aluminum phosphate (AlPO4), especially near neutral pH—this is the basis for phosphate removal in water treatment.

  4. How many meq of sodium does sodium phosphates have?

    It depends on the specific salt and hydration: anhydrous NaH2PO4 ≈8.3 mEq Na per gram, Na2HPO4 ≈14.1 mEq/g, and Na3PO4 ≈18.3 mEq/g (hydrates contain less per gram); a typical adult sodium phosphate enema contains about 190 mEq of sodium.

  5. How many sodium phosphates are there?

    There are three main orthophosphate salts used in foods—monosodium, disodium, and trisodium phosphate—listed as E339(i–iii), plus various hydrates and condensed (polyphosphate) forms.

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