Posted on November 29, 2008 in Diet for Diseases, Diet-Health
Emulsifiers are food additives used to stabilize the emulsions. Emulsions are a mixture of oil and water, such as butter, mayonnaise etc. Emulsifiers bind water and oil in an emulsion, giving it stability. Emulsifiers also improve the shelf life and make the processing of food products easy.
Why Emulsifiers are Needed to Stabilize an Emulsion?
An emulsion contains oil and water dispersed and suspended. Normally, when oil and water are mixed, they start to separate. However, an emulsifier prevents the separation of oil and water into two separate layers. The emulsifier keeps them dispersed and suspended.
Emulsions are of two types:
- Oil in water emulsions: Contains droplets of oil dispersed in water
- Water in oil emulsions: Contains droplets of water dispersed in oil
How do Emulsifiers work?
The molecules of emulsifiers have two different ends. One end is hydrophilic (favoring the water) and the other is lipophilic (favoring the oil). When an emulsion is added to an emulsion (oil and water mixture), the emulsifier stabilizes the mixture.
In oil-in-water emulsion, the emulsifier will surround the oil droplets, preventing it from forming a separate layer. In this same way, in water-in-oil emulsion, the emulsifier surrounds the water droplets and prevents it from forming a separate layer.
Uses of Emulsifiers:
Emulsifiers are used in the following ways:
- Bread making: Emulsifiers are used to improve the quality, texture and improve the shelf life of the bread
- Dairy products: Emulsifiers are used in dairy products such as ice creams, whipped cream, cheese, for foam formation and emulsion formation
- Sugar confectionaries: Emulsifiers are used to improve crystallization and texture in toffees, caramels, chewing gum etc.
- Sauces: Emulsifiers are used to in sauces, mayonnaise, dressings, peanut butter for emulsification and extended shelf life
Apart from the above uses, emulsifiers are also used in the production of biscuits, snacks, soft drinks, breakfast cereals, and many other food products. Emulsifiers are an important food additive and without them many foods would not be edible
Comments
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