FAQ

What is the function of food-grade antioxidants?

Food-grade antioxidants are products that inhibit free-radical oxidation of fats and oils. Oxidation of fats and oils produces unpleasant odors and flavors referred to as rancidity. 
 

What types of food-grade antioxidants does Eastman supply?

Eastman supplies Eastman Tenox™ TBHQ in pure form and various combinations of antioxidants in solution form, such as Eastman Tenox™ antioxidants. Many solutions contain citric acid as a chelating agent and acid synergist.
 

Which food-grade antioxidants are best suited for general applications?

For general applications, Tenox TBHQ is the preferred antioxidant for vegetable fats and oils. Other Tenox combinations are effective in animal fats and butterfat. For specific applications, reach out to your Eastman representative.
  

Why use Eastman Tenox antioxidants?

Tenox antioxidants are more soluble and/or dispersible in fats and oils, provide optimum ratios and combinations of antioxidants and citric acid for specific applications, and are easy to handle and weigh. 
 

When is the optimum time to add antioxidants to food products?

Antioxidants should be added as early as possible. Once peroxides form in fats and oils, the inhibition effects of antioxidants decrease. Note that antioxidants only inhibit oxidation, not prevent it. Antioxidants cannot rejuvenate an oxidized product and are not a substitute for high-quality raw materials and ingredients.
  

What is the function of Eastman Sustane™ SAIB food grade in beverages?

Eastman Sustane SAIB (sucrose acetate isobutyrate) food grade is a weighting agent used in citrus flavor emulsions, premixes, and syrups for producing carbonated, noncarbonated, alcoholic and nonalcoholic citrus beverages. Citrus-flavored sport drinks and nutritional drinks also use Sustane SAIB.
  

Does Sustane SAIB have FDA approval?

Sustane SAIB, SAIB CO, and SAIB ET-10 food grade have FDA approval. Sustane SAIB enjoys the highest use level approved for any weighting agent (300 ppm in the U.S. and Europe), giving formulators outstanding flexibility. Additionally, Sustane SAIB was approved in 1996 by the joint Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) expert committee for use in more than 20 countries and has an ADI (acceptable daily intake) of 20 mg/kg of body weight. 
 

Why use Sustane SAIB instead of other commercial weighting agents?

Sustane SAIB has almost no flavor effect at typical usage levels in beverages. It is very soluble in orange oil and has high oxidative stability. Sustane SAIB has undergone extensive safety testing on laboratory animals and humans. It metabolizes to sugar (sucrose), acetic acid, and isobutyric acid, all of which are safe, common components of foods.
  

How do you improve handling conditions of Eastman Sustane SAIB-SG?

Eastman Sustane SAIB CO and SAIB ET-10 are pourable at room temperature for easy handling. Sustane SAIB-FG has a high viscosity at 30°C (100,000 cP), which makes handling difficult. As Sustane SAIB-FG is heated, the viscosity decreases to 8,000 cP at 50°C and 105 cP at 100°C. Therefore, it is recommended that Sustane SAIB-FG be heated to approximately 70°C to improve handling conditions.
  

What weighting agents are available from Eastman for use in beverages?