Comparing E909 - Spermaceti vs E912 - Montanic acid esters

Overview

E909 - Spermaceti

Spermaceti (E909) is a wax from the head oil of the sperm whale. It was once used to give candies and pills a smooth, glossy finish, but today it has been largely replaced by plant, insect, or mineral waxes because whale products are protected and alternatives work well.

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E912 - Montanic acid esters

Montanic acid esters (E912) are food-grade waxy compounds used to polish and protect the surface of certain foods. They give candies and other items a smooth, glossy finish and help keep pieces from sticking together. In the European Union (EU), they are authorized as a glazing agent under specific rules.

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Synonyms
E909
Spermaceti
E912
Montanic acid esters
Montan acid esters
Functions
glazing agent
glazing agent
Origins
Animal
Synthetic
Mineral
Products

Found in 0 products

Found in 0 products

Search rank & volume
#2561.6K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#50530 / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

Awareness data is not available.

Awareness data is not available.

Search volume over time

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

Search history data is not available.

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Popular questions

  1. What is spermaceti used for?

    E909 is a whale-derived wax that was formerly used as a glazing/release (anti-sticking) agent on confectionery and some fruits.

  2. Is spermaceti still used?

    No—its use in foods is not authorized in the EU or US, and trade in whale products is widely prohibited; manufacturers use alternatives like carnauba or microcrystalline waxes.

  3. What does spermaceti look like?

    It is a hard, white, crystalline wax that is nearly odorless and tasteless, with a slightly oily feel.

  4. What was spermaceti used for?

    In foods it served as a glazing/anti-sticking agent (E909); outside food it was used for high-quality candles, ointments, and polishes.

  5. How much spermaceti is in a sperm whale?

    The spermaceti organ of a large sperm whale can contain up to about 1,900 liters (roughly 500 U.S. gallons) of spermaceti.

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