Chemical Composition of Egg Lecithin

Egg Lecithin is composed primarily of phosphatidylcholine and other phospholipids like phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid among others. It also contains smaller amounts of glycolipids, triglycerides, and soy sterols. The main active components that give Egg Lecithin its emulsifying properties are phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine which make up around 30-40% and 10-20% respectively.

Uses of Soy Lecithin in Food Industry

Emulsifier in Baked Goods: Egg Lecithin is widely used as an emulsifier in baked goods like cakes, cookies, bread, pancakes etc. It allows oils and liquids to be evenly distributed through the batter or dough during mixing. This results in finer, more tender crumb structure and extended shelf life.

Chocolate Manufacturing: Soy Lecithin is added to chocolate to prevent chocolate fat from separating and blooming on the surface. Lecithin helps emulsify cocoa butter and prevents the formation of cocoa butter fat crystals that cause mottling and bloom on finished chocolates.

Margarine Production: Egg Lecithin improves the creaminess of margarine by dispersing water within the fat phase and allowing for higher water content. It enhances spreadability and helps prevent oil separation.

Mayonnaise Formulation: As an emulsifier, lecithin bonds oil and water together to form a stable emulsion in mayonnaise and other oil-based salad dressings preventing separation.

Uses of Soy Lecithin in other Industries

Cosmetics: In cosmetic products like lotions, creams and lipsticks, lecithin helps disperse oils into water phases and water into oil phases to give a smooth texture. It also boosts lubricity and moisturization ability.

Pharmaceuticals: It is used as a wetting and dispersing agent in tablets and capsules to improve absorption of both oil and water soluble drugs. Lecithin improves plasticity of gelatin casings used in softgels.

Paints and Coatings: It enhances the spreadability and protects freshly applied paint films by preventing premature drying and cracking. Lecithin improves pigment wetting and dispersion.

Textiles: In textile auxiliaries, lecithin derivatives boost antistatic and dirt-repellent properties. It also provides lubrication benefits during weaving and spinning.

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