Products introduction
Sunflower Lecithin is natural phospholipids from sunflower oil degumming. As amphiphilic emulsifier, it stabilizes oil/water systems without chemical modification, mainly containing PC, PE, PI and PA.
Oriental Tongxiang offer two food grades: liquid and powder, conventional or organic, GMO＜0.1%. Particle size and documents can be customized.
It is widely used in chocolate, bakery, plant drinks, supplements and pet food, preferred for soy-free, low-allergen, non-GMO or organic formulations. MOQ starts from 1 drum/bag for small trials.
Key Product Specifications
|
Item |
Specification |
|
|
Product Name |
Sunflower Lecithin Liquid |
Sunflower Lecithin Powder |
|
Material |
Sunflower seed |
Sunflower seed |
|
Process |
Sunflower oil degumming; no chemical modification |
Fluid lecithin with the oil fraction removed; no solvent residue above the limit |
|
CAS No. |
8002-43-5 |
8002-43-5 |
|
EC No. |
232-307-2 |
232-307-2 |
|
Appearance |
Brown to dark brown viscous fluid |
Light brown powder |
|
Odor and Taste |
Characteristic sunflower lecithin odor; bland taste, free from foreign odor |
Characteristic sunflower lecithin odor; bland taste, free from foreign odor |
|
Acetone Insoluble (AI) |
≥ 60%, typically 63% |
≥ 95%, typically 97% |
|
Water and Volatiles |
≤ 2%, typically 0.4% |
≤ 1%, typically 0.6% |
|
Acid Value (as KOH) |
≤ 35 mg/g |
≤ 35 mg/g |
|
Hexane Insoluble Matter |
≤ 0.3% |
≤ 0.3% |
|
Peroxide Value |
≤ 10 meq/kg, equal to ≤ 5 mmol/kg |
≤ 10 meq/kg, equal to ≤ 5 mmol/kg |
|
pH Value |
5.5-7.5 measured as a dispersion |
Determined as a dispersion |
|
Density |
1.03-1.05 g/cm3 at 20 degrees C |
Bulk density 0.40-0.55 g/cm3 |
|
Viscosity at 25 degrees C |
≤ 12.5 Pa.s (maximum) |
Not applicable |
|
HLB Value |
3-4 |
3-4 |
|
Solubility / Dispersibility |
Dispersible in water at 20 degrees C; soluble in toluene and hexane |
Insoluble in water; dispersible in fats and oils |
|
GMO Status |
GMO below 0.1%; sunflower is not a commercially cultivated GMO crop |
GMO below 0.1%; sunflower is not a commercially cultivated GMO crop |
|
Allergen Status |
Not a listed allergen in the EU or the United States; no allergen declaration required |
Not a listed allergen in the EU or the United States; no allergen declaration required |
|
Lead (Pb) |
≤ 2.0 mg/kg |
≤ 2.0 mg/kg |
|
Arsenic (As) |
≤ 3.0 mg/kg |
≤ 3.0 mg/kg |
|
Mercury (Hg) |
≤ 1.0 mg/kg |
≤ 1.0 mg/kg |
|
Total Plate Count |
≤ 3,000 cfu/g |
≤ 3,000 cfu/g |
|
Yeast and Mould |
≤ 100 cfu/g |
≤ 100 cfu/g |
|
Coliforms |
≤ 10 cfu/g |
≤ 10 cfu/g |
|
Salmonella |
Absent in 25 g |
Absent in 25 g |
Typical values for reference only. Please contact Oriental Tongxiang for the applicable product specification, COA, test method, allergen statement, GMO statement, organic certificate, and regulatory documentation before purchase or product registration.
Key Benefits of Sunflower Lecithin
- Soy Free by Nature
Sunflower Lecithin contains no soy, so it carries no soy allergen declaration and no soy line on the label. For producers running soy-free, gluten-free or "free-from" ranges, this removes a labelling problem before it starts, and it is the single reason many buyers choose it over soy lecithin even though it costs more.
- Natural Emulsifier, No Chemical Modification
One ingredient stabilises oil-in-water and water-in-oil systems, so a formulator can often hold a recipe together without a synthetic emulsifier. It is approved as INS 322 / E322 and permitted in all major markets, and it needs no chemical modification to work.
- Chocolate and Compound Coatings
In chocolate and compound coatings, Sunflower Lecithin lowers viscosity and yield value, so the mass flows properly at a lower fat level. Producers use it to reduce cocoa butter addition without losing enrobing performance, and it also helps limit fat bloom and sugar crystallisation.
- Bakery Performance
Added to bread, biscuits and wafers, it acts as a dough conditioner and crumb softener and supports shelf life. It is normally dosed against flour weight and works alongside the emulsifier system already in the recipe.
- Instant Powder Wetting and Dispersion
Lecithin is what makes an instant powder wet out instead of floating on the surface. The fluid grade is dispersible in water at 20 degrees C, and the de-oiled powder is the practical choice for dry blends, premixes and spray-dried systems where a carrier has to stay free flowing.
- Emulsion Stability in Spreads, Sauces and Drinks
Margarine and spread producers use it to reduce spattering in the pan, and sauce, dressing and plant-based drink producers use it to keep fat from separating during storage. The same property improves texture and mouthfeel in dairy alternatives.
- A Source of Choline and Phospholipids
Sunflower Lecithin supplies phosphatidylcholine and other phospholipids, and it is used in supplements and functional foods as a choline and phospholipid source. This supports brain, liver and cell-membrane positioning in the markets where those claims are permitted.
Application Selection Guide
|
Application |
Preferred Form |
Use Level |
Contribution of Sunflower Lecithin |
Formulation Notes |
|
Chocolate and compound coatings |
Fluid |
0.2%-0.5% |
Lowers viscosity and yield value, reduces cocoa butter demand, limits fat bloom |
Dose step by step during conching; check flavour impact and the interaction with other emulsifiers such as PGPR |
|
Confectionery, caramels and toffees |
Fluid |
0.2%-1.0% |
Emulsifies fat and controls stickiness and sugar crystallisation |
Confirm the effect on texture and shelf life at the target water activity |
|
Bakery: bread, biscuits and wafers |
Fluid or de-oiled powder |
0.3%-1.0% on flour weight |
Dough conditioning, crumb softening and shelf-life support |
Balance against the existing emulsifier system and adjust water absorption |
|
Instant powders and beverage mixes |
De-oiled powder |
0.5%-2.0% |
Improves wetting and dispersibility, prevents powder floating |
Check reconstitution and sedimentation; the fluid grade is dispersible in water where a liquid addition suits the process |
|
Plant-based drinks and dairy alternatives |
Fluid |
0.1%-0.5% |
Emulsion stability, prevents creaming and separation |
Confirm the interaction with the protein system and the homogenisation conditions |
|
Margarine and spreads |
Fluid |
0.1%-0.5% |
Emulsion stability and anti-spattering during frying |
Check water-in-oil emulsion stability against the salt and acid level of the aqueous phase |
|
Sauces, dressings and mayonnaise |
Fluid |
0.2%-1.0% |
Oil-in-water emulsion stability and texture |
Check pH stability and the heat process of the finished product |
|
Dietary supplements and softgels |
Fluid or de-oiled powder |
According to the formula |
Phospholipid and choline source; emulsifier in softgel fill and tablet systems |
Confirm the dosage form and the label claim rules of your market |
|
Pet food and feed |
Fluid, for pellet coating |
1%-3% |
Palatability, pellet durability and energy value |
Check the coating equipment and the interaction with other fats in the recipe |
The usage levels listed above serve only as a reference. You will need to adjust them for your unique formula and verify the final dosage against the food regulations in your target market.
We also offer certified organic grade for all the applications mentioned above, if your finished product makes an organic claim. Share the organic claim your end customer plans to use, and our team will confirm the required certificates and transaction certificate process.
Certifications & Compliance
We can provide these documents based on your order and target market: Kosher, Halal, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, Non-GMO statement, allergen statement, COA, TDS and MSDS. For certified organic grades, we also supply organic certificates (USDA NOP, EU 2018/848 or GB/T 19630, matching your market) plus batch-specific transaction certificates with every shipment. Share your product grade and target market, and our team will confirm which documents fit your project.
Packaging and Supply
- Standard Packaging
Sunflower Lecithin Fluid: 200 kg drum; 1,000 kg IBC; flexitank for large orders
De-oiled Sunflower Lecithin Powder: 20 kg or 25 kg net bag with inner food-grade PE liner
- Palletization and Container Loading
the main loading port is Qingdao China. Other Chinese ports such as Shanghai, Tianjin and Guangdong can be discussed subject to order terms and logistics availability.
- Loading method
a 20' FCL typically takes about 16-18 MT of fluid lecithin in drums or IBCs, and about 18-20 MT of de-oiled powder with pallets. The exact quantity depends on the packaging format and will be confirmed per order.
- Minimum order quantit
MOQ is 200 kg for fluid and 25 kg for de-oiled powder. Smaller trial quantities can be discussed. Please contact us and provide your required form, grade, application, packaging and port of destination.
- Delivery time
Prompt supply may be available for stock items.
Terms: EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF, or other Incoterms may be discussed according to the shipment requirement.
- Storage Conditions
Store in a cool, dry, dark and clean place, below 25 degrees C where possible. Keep the product sealed and avoid direct sunlight, high humidity, high temperature and strong odors.
Customization
Sunflower Lecithin can be customized for your production and label: liquid, de-oiled powder or low-dust granules; conventional or certified organic grade. We adjust acetone insoluble content, carrier blends, mesh and bulk density for tableting and dry mixing. Available documents: COA, TDS, MSDS, allergen, Non-GMO, Kosher, Halal and organic certificates. Packaging: 200kg drum /1000kg IBC for liquid; 20/25kg bags for powder. Custom specs depend on production and order volume. Send your target specs & application.
FAQ
Q: Is sunflower lecithin soy free?
A: Yes. Sunflower Lecithin is recovered from sunflower oil, so it contains no soy and no soy protein. It does not need a soy allergen declaration, and it can be used in soy-free and "free-from" ranges without any change to the label.
Q: What is the difference between sunflower lecithin and soy lecithin?
A: Both are natural phospholipids with the same food additive number, INS 322 / E322, and they behave similarly as emulsifiers. Sunflower Lecithin is soy free and non-GMO by nature, so it avoids the soy allergen declaration entirely; soy lecithin must be declared as soy in the United States and the European Union. Soy lecithin is the more widely available and more economical of the two, and sunflower lecithin is the choice where the allergen list or the non-GMO position matters.
Q: Is sunflower lecithin an allergen?
A: Sunflower is not listed as a major allergen in the European Union or the United States, so no allergen declaration is required for sunflower lecithin. If your finished product is aimed at highly sensitive consumers, we recommend confirming the trace analysis and the labelling position with your own regulatory advisor.
Q: What is the difference between fluid and de-oiled sunflower lecithin?
A: Fluid lecithin is pumpable, with not less than 60% acetone insolubles, and it is the practical choice for chocolate, margarine, bakery and any process that doses a liquid. De-oiled powder is concentrated to not less than 95% acetone insolubles, dry and free flowing, with a lower water content, and it suits dry mixes, instant powders and supplements.
Q: Can you supply certified organic sunflower lecithin?
A: Yes, in both the fluid and the de-oiled powder form. The organic certificate and the transaction certificate requirements differ between the United States, the European Union and China, so please tell us your destination market and we will confirm the document route before the order.
Q: Is your sunflower lecithin non-GMO?
A: Yes. The GMO content is below 0.1%, and sunflower is not a commercially cultivated GMO crop, so the non-GMO position does not depend on an identity-preserved supply chain. The status is stated in the documentation for each shipment.
Q: What is the standard for this product?
A: GB 1886.358-2022 (National Food Safety Standard - Food Additive Lecithin), which covers lecithin from sunflower seed, soybean, rapeseed and egg yolk. It sets acetone insolubles at not less than 60%, acid value at not more than 36.0 mg/g, peroxide value at not more than 5.0 mmol/kg, lead at not more than 2.0 mg/kg and total arsenic at not more than 3.0 mg/kg. Labelling follows E322 or lecithin in the EU and 21 CFR 184.1400 in the United States.
Q: How should sunflower lecithin be stored after delivery?
A: Keep it sealed in a cool, dry, dark place below 25 degrees C, away from direct sunlight, moisture, heat and strong odors. The fluid thickens in cold conditions and separates on long standing, which is normal; warm it gently and mix before use. Keep the powder bag sealed after opening.
Q: What is the shelf life?
A: 24 months for both the fluid and the de-oiled powder, when the packaging stays unopened and the product is stored as recommended.
Q: What is the MOQ and the standard packaging?
A: MOQ is 200 kg for fluid and 25 kg for de-oiled powder, and smaller trial quantities can be discussed. Fluid ships in 200 kg drums or 1,000 kg IBCs, powder in 20 kg or 25 kg bags with an inner food-grade PE liner.
Q: Can you provide a COA and a sample?
A: Yes. We can provide batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs) upon customer request, and samples for product evaluation. For samples, please provide your target form, grade, application area, required quantity, company name, shipping address and target market. Sample supply and express delivery arrangements need to be confirmed separately.
Request a Sunflower Lecithin Sample or Bulk Quotation
Let us know your desired product form, required grade (standard or certified organic), and target market. Our team at Oriental Tongxiang will get back to you within 24 hours.
Share your target grade, intended application and target market, and we can provide spec sheets, COA, sample info, packaging options and bulk quotation tailored to your needs.
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