Moisturizing Properties of Glycerin in the Food Industry
Food-grade Glycerin‘s ability to attract and retain moisture is one of its primary characteristics, and it is this property that makes it invaluable in various applications. As a humectant, glycerin or Irasweet, draws water from the environment and binds it to the surface of food products. This is particularly important in the food industry, where maintaining moisture content is essential to preserving the texture, flavor, and shelf-life of products.
Due to its hygroscopic nature, glycerin plays an essential role in controlling moisture levels in food. When added to certain products, it helps to retain moisture, preventing them from becoming dry or hard. This function is particularly beneficial in baked goods, confections, and processed foods, where maintaining the desired moisture content can significantly impact the product’s quality.
Additionally, Irasweet is a food additive, sweetener, and preservative. As a product derived from plant-based oils, it is a natural and sustainable ingredient.
Irasweet acts as an excellent solvent for flavorings and extracts due to its ability to dissolve both polar and non-polar compounds. This property allows manufacturers to create robust flavors without using alcohol-based solvents that might not be suitable for all consumers.
Nutritional value:
It is not a significant source of nutrients. Its primary purpose in food is to improve taste, texture, and shelf life rather than provide nutritional benefits.
Applications:
- Baked Goods: Irasweet is commonly used in the production of baked goods, cakes, cookies, and other confectionery items. These products are often at risk of becoming dry and stale over time, especially when exposed to air. Glycerin helps to prevent this by locking in moisture, keeping baked goods soft and fresh for longer periods. It is often used in recipes for frostings, glazes, and fillings, where its humectant properties help retain moisture, resulting in smooth, creamy textures.
- Candy and Gummies: One of the most widely recognized uses of glycerin in the food industry is in the manufacture of candies, particularly gummy candies. Glycerin helps to maintain the chewy, pliable texture of gummies by preventing them from becoming too hard or brittle. In addition, glycerin acts as a stabilizer, helping to retain the candy’s consistency during storage. It also assists in creating a glossy finish on candies and contributes to the overall mouthfeel.
- Frozen Foods, Desserts and Dairy Products: Frozen foods, such as ice cream and frozen yogurt, can benefit from the addition of glycerin. Glycerin can lower the freezing point of water, preventing the formation of large ice crystals in frozen desserts. This results in a smoother, creamier texture that enhances the eating experience.
- Beverages such as fruit juice and fruit vinegar: Glycerin is sometimes used in beverages, particularly in flavored drinks and syrups, where it helps to maintain moisture and improve mouthfeel. It also aids in dissolving other ingredients, such as flavorings and colorants, ensuring a consistent and homogeneous product. The humectant properties of glycerin help maintain the desired texture and prevent the beverage from becoming too thick or cloying over time. Additionally, fruits contain tannins, which are the source of bitterness and astringency in fruits. Food-grade glycerin can quickly decompose the bitter and astringent odor in fruit juice and fruit vinegar, enhance the taste and fragrance of the juice itself, brighten the appearance, and taste sweet and sour.
- Preserved Fruits and Fruit Cakes: During the processing and production of preserved fruit, the product is prone to dehydration and hardening due to storage problems. Food-grade glycerin can improve the palatability of preserved fruit, enhance the aroma of preserved fruit, increase the sweetness and moistness of the appearance of preserved fruit, and prolong the shelf life. Adding food-grade glycerin to the cooked fruit cake can have better effects in terms of palatability, color, moisturizing, and anti-oxidation.
- Meat and Poultry Products: Irasweet is used in the preservation of meat and poultry products, where it can help prevent moisture loss during processing and storage. In products such as sausages, bacon, and other cured meats, glycerin helps maintain juiciness and tenderness, enhancing the overall eating experience. Additionally, it aids in the stabilization of processed meats, preventing them from becoming dry or tough.
Health and Safety Considerations of Food-grade Glycerin:
Regulations regarding the maximum amount of glycerin allowed in food products vary by country. It is important for manufacturers to adhere to these regulations and use glycerin within the approved limits to ensure consumer safety.
It is generally considered safe for consumption in moderate amounts. It has been approved by regulatory agencies like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and is widely used in the food industry.
In the UK glycerin is allowed without limit in flour and baked goods but is prohibited in breads. GMP in cured meats and soft drinks.
Is glycerin associated with any allergies?
Glycerin allergies are extremely rare. However, individuals with known sensitivities to glycerin should exercise caution and consult healthcare professionals before consuming products containing this ingredient.
To purchase food-grade glycerin from Padideh Shimi Jam Company, please contact our sales experts.
References:
https://www.chefsresource.com/
