Quillaia

Quillaja extract (E 999 ) is a food additive that is extracted from the bark of Quillaja tree.

Use

The fabric with the E number E 999 is used as a foaming agent, thus stabilizing a durable foam formation in a liquid. Approved it is only for flavored non-alcoholic water-based drinks, such as ginger ale. Use as a foam stabilizer he finds beyond in detergents and fire extinguishing agents. Furthermore it is used as active substance in drugs.

Hazards

Quillaja extract contains saponins which are toxic if they enter the bloodstream. Therefore, the use of E -999 was banned in Germany for a long time until the agent was authorized as part of the EU - wide standardization. The highest permitted concentration of 200 mg / l, the permitted daily dose is 0-5 mg / kg. For an adult this is about equivalent to a daily quantity of 1.75 liters ginger ale.

• Food additive