Lecithin

Lecithin

Additional information

Product Name

Lecithin

Source

Soybean or Sunflower

CAS Number

8002-43-5

Appearance

Yellow to brown (powder, granular, paste depending on variant)

Solubility

Oil-soluble, dispersible in water with suitable carriers

Benefits & Functions

✔ Natural Emulsifier & Stabilizer
✔ Nutritional Support
✔ Texture Enhancer
✔ Antioxidant Carrier
✔ Moisture Retention

Main Applications

Functional Foods & Nutrition Bars
Beverages (Dairy, Plant-based, Nutrition)
Chocolate & Confectionery
Bakery Products
Dietary Supplements
Cosmetics

Product Details

💎 1. Product Introduction

Lecithin is a multifunctional phospholipid compound found in natural sources like soybean and sunflower seeds. Known for its emulsifying, stabilizing, and nutritional properties, lecithin is widely used in food, beverage, nutraceutical, and cosmetic formulations. Chibio Biotech offers premium food-grade lecithin in multiple purity levels and formats to suit diverse industrial applications.


🌱 2. Source & Product Types

Variant

Source

PC Content

Form

Lecithin PC 35%

Soybean

≥35%

Powder

Lecithin PC 50% (Soy)

Soybean

≥50%

Granular

Lecithin PC 80% (Paste)

Soybean

≥80%

Paste

Lecithin PC 50% (Sunflower)

Sunflower Seed

≥50%

Paste

  • CAS Number: 8002-43-5

  • EINECS: 232-307-2

  • Standard: GB 1886.358-2022

  • Grade: Food Grade

🌿 Lecithin Variants Detailed Comparison Table

Parameter

Soy Lecithin PC35%

Soy Lecithin PC50%

Soy Lecithin PC80% Paste

Sunflower Lecithin PC50%

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) Content

≥35%

≥50%

≥80%

≥50%

Source

NON-GMO Soybean

NON-GMO Soybean

NON-GMO Soybean

NON-GMO Sunflower Seed

Form

Fine Powder

Free-flowing Granule

Semi-solid Paste

Viscous Paste

Color

Light Yellow

Yellow

Dark Yellow / Brown

Light to Medium Brown

Solubility

Dispersible in warm water & oil

Better dispersibility in oil/water

Highly lipophilic

Good dispersibility in both oil & water

PC Purity

Low to moderate

Medium

High-grade

Medium

Fatty Acid Profile

Moderate

Balanced

Rich in phospholipids

High in polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic)

Allergen Considerations

Contains soy

Contains soy

Contains soy

Soy-free (allergen-friendly)

Oxidation Stability

Good

Very Good

Excellent

Moderate to Good

Labeling (Clean Label)

Natural lecithin

Natural lecithin

High-PC functional lecithin

Plant lecithin, Non-soy

💡 Formulation & Functional Application Differences

Aspect

PC35% (Soy)

PC50% (Soy)

PC80% Paste (Soy)

PC50% (Sunflower)

Emulsification Power

Basic emulsifying

Enhanced emulsification

Excellent for stable W/O systems

Similar to PC50 (soy) but more natural appeal

Mouthfeel Impact

Mild

Creamier

Rich, fatty texture

Light, clean feel

Hydration Impact

Moderate

Good skin moisture retention

Deep skin & emulsion hydration

Balanced hydration

Stability in Emulsions

Standard

Stable in O/W and W/O emulsions

Ideal for complex systems (e.g., creams)

Good stability, especially in clean-label systems

Foaming Control

Limited

Moderate

Strong anti-foaming

Moderate

Solubility Behavior

Requires surfactant/warm mix

Easy dispersion

Oil-phase required

Dispersible in aqueous-oil blends

🧴 Recommended Industry & Product Applications

Application Area

PC35% (Soy)

PC50% (Soy)

PC80% Paste (Soy)

PC50% (Sunflower)

Nutritional Supplements

Powder blends, softgels

Capsules, energy bars

High-phospholipid nutrition

Vegan & allergen-free nutrition

Functional Foods

Bakery, beverages

Protein shakes, sauces

Emulsified oils, condiments

Infant food, functional drinks

Cosmetics & Skincare

Creams, soaps (low-active)

Lotions, emulsions

Rich creams, barrier care

Sensitive skin care, baby care

Pharma

Nutrient transport carriers

Injectable excipient base

Liposome precursor

Plant-based delivery systems

Infant & Elderly Nutrition

Not ideal due to soy

Use with allergen notice

Restricted use

Best for hypoallergenic products

Clean Label Products

Moderate

Moderate

Less common

Preferred (non-GMO, soy-free)


⚗️ 3. Chemical & Physical Properties

  • Appearance: Yellow to brown (powder, granular, paste depending on variant)

  • Odor: Characteristic odor of lecithin, no foreign smell

  • Acetone Insolubles: ≥60% (All types)

  • Phosphatidylcholine (PC):

    • PC35%: ≥30%

    • PC50% (Soy): ≥50%

    • PC80%: ≥80%

    • PC50% (Sunflower): ≥50%

  • Loss on Drying: ≤2.0%

  • Hexane Insolubles: ≤0.3%

  • Acid Value: ≤36 mg KOH/g

  • Peroxide Value: ≤5.0 mmol/kg

  • Heavy Metals (Pb, As): Not detected

  • Residual Solvent: ≤50 mg/kg


💧 4. Solubility

  • Oil-soluble, dispersible in water with suitable carriers

  • Compatible with lipophilic and emulsified systems

  • Forms stable emulsions in aqueous-fat blends


✅ 5. Key Benefits

  1. Natural Emulsification – Stabilizes oil and water phases in food and beverages

  2. Nutritional Support – Source of essential phospholipids like PC, PE

  3. Texture Enhancer – Improves spreadability, mouthfeel, and flowability

  4. Shelf Life Extension – Acts as antioxidant and rancidity stabilizer

  5. Hydration Regulator – Aids in moisture retention in baked goods and creams

  6. Clean Label Friendly – Recognized natural food additive, allergen-controlled sourcing


🧬 6. Functions of Lecithin

  1. Emulsifying Agent

    Facilitates stable emulsions in sauces, chocolates, and nutritional drinks.

  2. Nutrient Delivery System

    Enhances absorption and bioavailability of fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients.

  3. Lipotropic Activity

    Assists in fat metabolism and liver protection in dietary supplements.

  4. Antioxidant Carrier

    Stabilizes volatile compounds and improves oxidative resistance in oils.

  5. Moisture Retention

    Improves softness and extends freshness in baked goods.

  6. Dispersing & Wetting Agent

    Facilitates uniform distribution of ingredients in powdered blends.


🧴 7. Applications

  • Functional Foods & Nutrition Bars

    – Improves cohesion, emulsification, and nutritional profile

  • Beverages (Dairy, Plant-based, Nutrition)

    – Stabilizes emulsions and enhances mouthfeel

  • Chocolate & Confectionery

    – Reduces viscosity and improves coating flow

  • Bakery Products

    – Enhances softness, shelf life, and mixing performance

  • Dietary Supplements

    – Delivers phospholipids for liver support and cognitive health

  • Cosmetics

    – Functions as a skin-conditioning and emulsifying agent


⚙️ 8. Production Process

Seed Selection (Soy or Sunflower)

Oil Extraction & Crude Lecithin Separation

Purification & Phospholipid Enrichment

Drying / Paste Formation / Granulation

Final QC and Packaging


🏆 9. Why Choose Chibio Biotech?

  • 🌱 Natural & Plant-Based – Derived from NON-GMO soy or sunflower seeds

  • 💎 Wide PC Range (35%–80%) – Tailored to formulation needs

  • 🧪 Strict Quality Control – GB-standard compliance & full documentation

  • 📦 Versatile Formats – Powder, granular, paste for all processing types

  • 🌍 Global Certifications – ISO, HALAL, KOSHER available

  • 📊 Custom Formulations – OEM/ODM solutions with R&D support


💼 10. Why Your Brand Should Use Lecithin

  • Improve product texture, stability, and shelf life

  • Meet clean-label, natural additive expectations

  • Enhance nutritional value and functionality

  • Expand into high-demand plant-based formulations

  • Ensure reliable quality with standardized PC content


📢 11. Summary 

Whether you need emulsification, nutrition, or functional texture enhancement, Chibio’s soy and sunflower lecithin series deliver high-performance results backed by consistent quality.

📩 Looking for food-grade lecithin in customizable purities and formats?

Contact us today for specifications, samples, and pricing!

📧 Email: sales@chibiotech.com

📞 Phone: +86 (0)532 66983270

🌍 Website: www.chibiotech.com

Chibio Biotech – Nature’s Emulsifier, Engineered for Performance. 🫘🛡️

Get in touch with us to boost your business

Headquarter

Block B, Vanke Center, No.2 Heilongjiang South Road, Shibei District, Qingdao City, China 266033

Phone

+86 (0)532 66983270

Cellphone / WhatsApp / WeChat

+86 156 6577 2296
+86 133 8100 5417

sales@chibiotech.com

Let's get in touch to start 100% natural plant-based life NOW!