Is edible glue really related to "glue"?

Image source: Qianku.com

In an age when people are afraid of the word "glue", can food glue be eaten? What is its relationship with glue?

Let me first state the conclusion. Food glue is a food raw material and is of course edible. It has nothing to do with glue.

There are many types of food glue, and my country allows the use of about 40 types. According to the raw materials, they can be divided into animal glue, plant glue, seaweed glue, microbial glue and chemically modified glue.

The most famous animal glues are donkey hide and gelatin. There is actually not much difference between the two, except for the selection of materials and processes. The main raw material of donkey hide is donkey skin; the main raw material of gelatin is generally cow hide and bones, fish skin and scales, pig skin or chicken skin. The medicinal value of donkey hide is self-evident; the role of gelatin is actually more extensive. For example, adding gelatin to candy can maintain the shape of the candy and ensure that it does not deform; adding it to meat products can emulsify the fat in meat sauce and cream candy to protect the original characteristics of the product.

Pectin in plant gum is considered to be a higher level in food gum and can generally be extracted from citrus peel and apple peel residue. It is a water-soluble dietary fiber that can enhance gastrointestinal motility and promote nutrient absorption.

Agar and carrageenan are both seaweed gums. Agar, also known as agar, is one of the ingredients for the crispy milk tea condiments. Carrageenan is currently the most common edible gum in meat products. It can lock a large amount of water in meat products and reduce the loss of gravy. Adding it to jelly can ensure that the jelly is elastic and has no water separation; adding it to transparent fruit soft candy can make it rich in fruity aroma, refreshing and non-sticky; adding it to ice cream can be used as a co-stabilizer at low concentrations to prevent whey separation.

The best among microbial gums is xanthan gum. It is tasteless, non-toxic, safe to use, has unique rheological properties, good water solubility, acid and alkali resistance, high temperature resistance, and good compatibility with a variety of salts. It is currently the world's largest-scale microbial polysaccharide with the widest range of uses.

Some edible glues are chemically modified glues that have been chemically treated. Take carboxymethyl cellulose as an example. Although it is extracted from plants, it has also undergone a relatively complicated processing process. However, after extensive testing, no health hazards have been found.

Generally speaking, as long as edible glue is added within the scope specified by the state, it is harmless. For details, please refer to the "National Food Safety Standard for the Use of Food Additives" (GB2760) and the "National Food Safety Standard for the Use of Nutritional Enhancers" (GB14880).

Source: WeChat official account of China Science and Technology Press

Author: Xiang Xuesong