In the food industry, food additives are used to improve the color, taste, and shelf life of food. Among them, magnesium chloride is a common food additive, which has a wide range of uses and remarkable effects. This article will detail the properties and role of magnesium chloride as a food additive.
Magnesium chloride, with the chemical formula MGCL2ยท6H2O, is a colorless crystal or white particle, salty in taste and easily soluble in water. It is an important food additive, mainly used as a stabilizer, coagulant, acidity regulator, etc.
First of all, magnesium chloride, as a stabilizer, can effectively prevent moisture separation in food. In the production process of pastries, candies and other foods, magnesium chloride can react with starch to form a stable gel, thereby keeping the structure of the food stable and preventing food from drying out due to moisture separation.
Secondly, magnesium chloride is also a commonly used coagulant. In the production process of soy products, jelly and other foods, magnesium chloride can react with soybean protein or pectin to form a coagulated protein network, so that the food has good coagulation performance. In addition, magnesium chloride can also be used to make tofu, soy milk and other foods.
In addition, magnesium chloride can also act as an acidity regulator. In the production process of pickled foods, fermented foods, etc., magnesium chloride can be used to adjust the pH of foods to maintain the taste and flavor of foods. For example, when marinating fish and meat, adding an appropriate amount of magnesium chloride can maintain the appropriate pH level of the food and improve the taste and flavor of the food.
Although magnesium chloride is a common food additive, its use needs to be strictly controlled. Excessive magnesium chloride may have adverse effects on human health. Therefore, when using magnesium chloride as a food additive, it is necessary to operate in strict accordance with food safety regulations to ensure the safety of food.
In general, magnesium chloride plays an important role in the food industry as a multifunctional food additive. It can not only improve the quality of food, increase the taste and flavor of food, but also ensure the safety of food. However, we should also note that caution is required with the use of any food additives to ensure the safety and health of the food.