Adipic acid (E 355) is a flavor enhancer and can be found in many foods. Here you can find out why the acid is not only found in food, but also in plastic and power plants.
Adipic acid is approved in the EU as a food additive with the number E 355 as an acidifier.
The properties of adipic acid are:
sour-salty taste
long-lasting taste
does not attract water (therefore suitable for long storage)
Adipic acid is mainly produced chemically. However, it also occurs naturally in some foods, such as beetroot or sugar beet.
Adipic acid (E355) in food
Because of its properties, adipic acid is primarily used as a flavor enhancer and preservative in (ready-to-use) foods. It is particularly suitable for powdered foods.
dry dessert powder
Powdered pastry fillings
Coatings for confectionery, such as fruit gums
desserts
beverage powder
Marmalades, jams and jellies
Adipic acid is also approved as a substitute for table salt. Due to the similar properties and the cheaper production, adipic acid is often used instead of tartaric acid, for example in baking powder or some lemonades.
If you come into direct contact with the fabric, the acid can cause severe eye irritation. Then rinse your eyes with water for a long time and contact your doctor. However, direct contact only occurs in certain professions, such as chemistry.
Other uses of adipic acid (E355)
Adipic acid is not only used in food, but also in the production of the plastic nylon. The acid is the starting material for production and therefore essential. Until a few years ago, the synthesis of adipic acid still produced large amounts of nitrous oxide, which contributes to the greenhouse effect and is therefore problematic. Today, thanks to several innovations, plastic production causes less nitrous oxide.
Adipic acid is also used to reduce the acidic exhaust gases from power plants, for example from waste incineration. It can dissolve sulfur compounds that are formed when fuels containing sulfur are burned. This reduces the pH of the rain less and reduces acid rain that damages nature.
According to the European Chemical Agency, adipic acid is also found in detergents and cleaning agents, such as washing powder or car care products, and in paints and air fresheners.
