GLYCEROL ESTER OF TALL OIL ROSIN
(TENTATIVE)
Tentative specifications prepared at the 74th JECFA (2011) and published in FAO JECFA Monographs 11 (2011), superseding tentative specifications prepared at the 71st JECFA (2009), published in FAO JECFA Monographs 7 (2009). No ADI was allocated at the 74th JECFA
(2011).
Updated information required:
• Composition of the refined tall oil rosin currently used as the source rosin with regard to the levels of resin acids and “neutrals” (nonacidic saponifiable and unsaponifiable substances)
• Composition of the glycerol ester of tall oil rosin with regard to the levels of:
a) glycerol esters;
b) free resin acids; and
c) neutrals (non-acidic saponifiable and unsaponifiable substances)
• Composition of the total glycerol ester of resin acids with regard to the levels of:
a) monoglycerol esters;
b) (1,2) diglycerol esters;
c) (1,3) diglycerol esters;
d) triglycerol esters; and
e) dimeric esters
• Composition of the neutrals, including identification of the major classes of compounds and the concentration of the major constituents within the classes
NOTE:
Validated methods should be used for the analysis of substances considered in the specification. Detailed information on the methods
used, including sample preparation and validation parameters should be provided. It is recommended that representative samples of
commercially available glycerol ester of gum rosin be analysed by independent laboratories.
SYNONYMS INS No. 445(ii)
DEFINITION Glycerol ester of tall oil rosin is a complex mixture of tri- and diglycerol esters of resin acids from tall oil rosin with a residual fraction of
monoglycerol esters. Besides these esters, up to x % resin acids (data on percentage required) and up to x % non-acidic saponifiable and unsaponifiable substances (data on percentage required) are present. It is obtained by the esterification of tall oil rosin under a nitrogen
atmosphere with food-grade glycerol, and purified by steam-stripping. Tall oil rosin is obtained by distillation of crude tall oil, a by-product of kraft (paper) pulp processing. It is composed of x% resin acids (data on percentage required) and x% neutrals (non-acidic saponifiable and
