Food additives Europe numbers: E1518
Glyceryl triacetate, also commonly known as triacetin, is indeed a food excipient with a variety of uses [1, 2]. Here's a breakdown of its properties and functions in food:
- Properties: Triacetin is a clear, colorless liquid with a slightly sweet taste [1].
- Functions in food: It serves several purposes in food products:
- Solvent: Triacetin acts as a solvent, helping to dissolve flavorings and other ingredients that wouldn't readily mix with water [1, 3]. This is useful for creating flavored beverages, candies, and baked goods.
- Humectant: It attracts and retains moisture, which can be beneficial in baked goods and other products where keeping them from drying out is important [2, 3].
- Plasticizer: In some cases, triacetin can act as a plasticizer, making certain food components like films or coatings more flexible [3].
- Safety: The good news is that similar to glyceryl palmitostearate, triacetin is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for its intended uses in food [1].
External Links
Glyceryl triacetate