E312 – Dodecyl Gallate

Description

White to creamy-white solid with a faint characteristic odor; ester of gallic acid and dodecanol; antioxidant

Risks

Notes

Dodecyl gallate is the longest-chain member of the gallate antioxidant family, made by linking gallic acid (from plant sources like tea leaves) with dodecanol, a twelve-carbon alcohol. This creates a white to creamy-white solid compound where the extra-long alcohol chain gives it unique properties that make it particularly effective in specific food applications. As an antioxidant, dodecyl gallate prevents the oxidation of fats and oils that leads to rancidity and off-flavors. Its longer molecular structure makes it especially good at protecting foods with complex fat systems, and you might find it in specialty oils, some processed foods, and products where long-term fat stability is crucial. It's less commonly used than shorter-chain gallates but serves important functions in specific applications. This synthetic antioxidant is manufactured from natural starting materials but doesn't occur in this form in nature. It's appropriate for vegetarian and vegan diets since no animal products are involved in its production. Dodecyl gallate is approved for food use where permitted, though it's the least common of the gallate antioxidants and is subject to specific usage limits and regulations in different countries.