Mono and diglycerides Acids

Mono Diglyceride of fatty acids or E471.

Food additives used as emulsifiers and stabilizers, particularly in modern cooking.
They help combine ingredients that don't mix naturally, such as oil and water, and are found in products like ice cream, margarine and bakery products.
These additives improve texture, increase shelf life and prevent the separation of various food products

Emulsification:
Mono and diglycerides are excellent at stabilizing emulsions, meaning they help mix ingredients that would otherwise separate, like oil and water.

Texture Enhancement:
They improve the texture and consistency of various foods, contributing to a smoother, creamier, or more desirable feel.

Stabilization:
They help prevent separation and maintain a uniform consistency in products like ice cream, margarine, and salad dressings.

Increased Shelf Life:
By preventing spoilage and maintaining product quality, they contribute to a longer shelf life for baked goods and other processed foods.

Applications:
Mono and diglycerides are used in a wide range of food products, including:
Baked Goods: Improve texture, increase volume, and extend shelf life of bread, cakes, and pastries.
Dairy: Prevent ice crystal formation in ice cream, maintain consistency in cream, and improve mouthfeel.
Fats and Oils: Improve spreadability of margarine and shortenings.
Confectionery: Enhance texture and prevent fat bloom in chocolates.
Prepared Foods: Stabilize emulsions and improve texture in salad dressings, sauces, and gravies.

They are considered a staple in modernist cooking for their ability to stabilize emulsions and thicken or foam oils.

Gluten-Free: making them suitable for various dietary needs.

Professional Use:
They are used by chefs and in professional kitchens to enhance the quality and consistency of various dishes.

How they are made:
Mono and diglycerides are typically made through a chemical reaction involving triglycerides (from animal fats or vegetable oils) and glycerin, with the addition of heat and a catalyst. This process rearranges the fatty acid chains, producing a mixture of mono-, di-, and triglycerides, which are then separated and purified.