E1400 - E1450 - Starch

Characteristic

Modified starches of the group E1400-E1450 are obtained by heat, alkali, acid or enzymatic treatment of starch (from corn or wheat). They are not genetically modified. They are used as a food supplement. In the human gut, they can act as soluble or insoluble, or as fermenting fibers.

In order to improve the functional properties of starch, the chemical and physical characteristics of natural substances in modified starches are changed. They are used in processed foods to make their texture thicker or creamier.

• Dextrin (dextrins, roasted starch) (E1400) * - stabilizer, thickener
• Acid-treated starch (E1401) * - stabilizer, thickener
• Alkaline treated starch (E1402) - stabilizer, thickener
• Bleached starch (E1403) * - stabilizer, thickener
• Oxidized starch (E1404) - emulsifier, thickener
• Enzyme-treated starch - maltodextrin, cyclodextrin (E1405)
• Mono-starch phosphate (E1410) * - stabilizer, thickener
• Dynastic phosphate (E1412) * - stabilizer, thickener
• Phosphorized dynesic phosphate (E1413) * - stabilizer, thickener
• Acetylated dynesic phosphate (E1414) * - emulsifier, thickener
• Acetylated starch (E1420) - stabilizer, thickener
• Acetylated dynamite adipate (E1422) * - stabilizer, thickener
• Hydroxypropyl starch (E1440) * - emulsifier, thickener
• Hydroxypropyl disulfide phosphate (E1442) * - stabilizer, thickener
• Octenylsuccinate sodium starch (E1450) * - emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener

* Generally recognized as safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Use

Modified starches are widely used in the food industry due to their properties, which are much better than those of natural substances. They are used in the confectionery, meat processing, canning industry, pharmaceutical industry, production of some soft drinks, mayonnaise, ketchup, dressings, sauces and others.

They give the specific crunchiness of biscuits and crackers, stable viscosity of canned foods and the desired toughness of certain foods. Improve the quality of extruded products.

• food thickeners, for example E1405 is used as a thickener in the manufacture of noodles, potato chips, soups and sauces;
• emulsion stabilizers and gelling agents;
• emulsifiers;
• binders in tablets;
• texture enhancers for pastries, ice creams, jams, preserves, confectionery, sauces and the like;
• fiber additives such as stable dextrin and stable maltodextrin;
• E1400 is used for the preparation of adhesives, but also in the food, light industry and foundry production.

Impact on humans

All modified starches ( E1400-E1450 ) do not have a defined acceptable adequate daily intake. According to the panel on "Food Additives and Nutrient Sources Added to Foods", there are no consumer safety concerns when using modified starches as food additives. There is no evidence of toxicity in their consumption in certain quantities.

With regard to the use of sodium octenyl succinate (E1450) in "dietary foods for special medical purposes and special foods for infants" and E1404, E1410, E1412, E1413, E1414, E1420 and E1450 in "dietary foods for infants and young children for special medical purposes "it has been found that infants and young children who eat foods with modified starches may be more exposed to certain gastrointestinal side effects than those who do not eat such foods.

Modified starches are not completely absorbed during metabolism in the human body, which could be a prerequisite for possible toxic accumulation. However, studies have shown that the digestibility of modified starches is slightly reduced or shows no differences compared to the corresponding unmodified starches, and that the two main components of starch, amylose and amylopectin, are fermented during their passage through the small intestine by bacteria. located in the human colon. The main end products in their breakdown in the colon and their absorption by it are fatty acids such as acetic, propionic and butyric acid.

It is believed that the modified starches are excreted from the body by degradation with the help of intestinal enzymes and the fermentation microflora in the intestinal tract.

A single dose of octenylsuccinate sodium starch (E1450) up to 25,000 milligrams per person administered in the fasted state is well tolerated by healthy adults, but gastrointestinal symptoms have been reported in infants with a hypoallergenic formula containing 2% modified starch, equivalent to of about 24,000 milligrams.

Excessive use of dextrin and maltodextrin and other modified soluble starches may cause bloating and flatulence, as well as worsening of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in some people. E1404, E1414, E1420 can cause diarrhea.

People with allergies to wheat or gluten should avoid consuming products containing modified starch (E1400-E1450).

Carcinogenicity studies for E1413, E1414, E1420, E1422, E1442 and E1450 in rats and for E1442 in mice did not show carcinogenicity or toxicity. It is not considered to have toxicological significance for humans.

According to reproductive toxicity studies in rats against E1413, E1414, E1420 and E1422, no effects on reproductive performance or effects on development were observed.

Studies have been performed in healthy volunteers with E1413, E1414 and E1420. No side effects have been identified. Based on analyzes, it is considered that the modified starches do not pose a genotoxicity problem.