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What is Lecithin?
Lecithin is a yellowish – brown amphiphilic simultaneously water loving and fat loving substance found in the tissues of all living organisms. Discovered in 1850s by French scientist Maurice Gobley, it was named “lekithos" after the Greek word for 'egg yolk' which is a rich source of lecithin.Today lecithin is the generic name given to a whole class of fat-and-water soluble compounds called phospholipids.
Lecithin is a popular emulsifier a substance that holds otherwise repelling materials like oil and water together to form a consistent solution used in food, feed, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Industry Experts prefer Lecithin over other emulsifier alternatives because of its all-natural origin and innate bio-affinity, making it the perfect label-friendly ingredient.
Moreover, Lecithin’s role as a health ingredient and its omnipresence in our everyday life is fairly understated. Fact is, you are always surrounded by Lecithin in some way or the other.
Did you know?
- Lecithins or ‘phospholipids’,arenatural building blocks of your body’s cell membranes
- Lecithin forms 30 per cent of your brain’s dry weight and 75 per centof your liver’s fat
- Lecithin plays a key role in multiple functions in your body including metabolism, cholesterol management and nervous system
Source
Source
Lecithin is prepared by extracting and refining phospholipids from natural substances like Soybeans, Sunflower, Egg, Canola seeds (Rapeseed)
Type
Type
Crude Lecithin is refined to prepare various types like De-oiled, Hydrolysed, Fractionated, Hydroxylated and Acetylated, for specialised industry and health applications
Liquid Lecithin
Role
Role
Lecithin has wide applications in several roles such as Emulsifier, Stabilizer, Softener, Wetting agent, Dispersing agent, Blending aid, Shelf-life extender, health supplement