What is Gelatin and Is It Harmful to Humans?

Gelatin is a common food additive with a wide range of applications. It is mainly classified into two types: industrial use and food use. When added, there is usually a certain range within which it is considered harmless to the human body. However, excessive addition can cause harm to the body.

1. What is Gelatin and Is It Harmful to Humans?

Gelatin is a common food additive derived from the degradation of collagen found in connective tissues such as animal skin, bones, muscles, and tendons. It is often used as a gelling agent, stabilizer, emulsifier, thickener, and clarifier in the production of meat products, cakes, ice cream, beer, juice, and other foods. Properly used as a food additive, gelatin is non-toxic and poses no harm to the body. However, excessive addition can potentially cause harm to the body.

2. What Are the Functions of Gelatin?

Gelatin is a cholesterol-free and fat-free protein that serves as a natural and nutritious food additive. Consuming gelatin does not cause obesity or affect physical strength. It acts as a protective colloid with emulsifying properties that can inhibit the coagulation of proteins such as milk and soy milk in the stomach due to the action of gastric acid, thereby aiding in digestion. Gelatin can also increase the toughness and texture of foods like instant noodles and noodles, enhancing their chewiness and overall quality.

3. What Are the Applications of Gelatin?

Gelatin can be categorized into four types based on its applications: photographic, food, pharmaceutical, and industrial. 3.1 Photographic gelatin is a high-grade product used as one of the three important materials in the production of photosensitive materials. Due to its unique physicochemical properties, it is still used as a carrier in silver halide photosensitive materials, and there is no substance that can fully replace gelatin. 3.2 Food gelatin is widely used as a thickening agent in the food industry, such as in jellies, food colorings, high-grade soft candies, ice cream, cheese, yogurt, and frozen foods. 3.3 Pharmaceutical gelatin is mainly used as a raw material for hard and soft capsules and sugar coatings for tablets. 3.4 Industrial gelatin is primarily used in plywood, gauze, sand, printing, adhesives, and other applications.