This section provides an overview of sucrose acetate isobutyrate, covering its manufacturing processes, applications, and regulatory status. Also, please check out the introduction to sucrose acetate isobutyrate manufacturers, supply chain issues, sucrose acetate isobutyrate suppliers, and sucrose acetate isobutyrate prices. Sinofi can help you buy sucrose acetate isobutyrate in bulk for industry applications at wholesale prices based on E444 and CAS 126-13-6.
Table of Contents
What is Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate (SAIB)?
Sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) represents one of the most important ingredients in beverage and flavour formulations. It is essential for developing stable, high-quality flavour systems, particularly in challenging applications such as citrus-flavoured beverages. Sucrose acetate isobutyrate features a sucrose backbone with acetate and isobutyrate groups attached to the hydroxyl positions. The compound exhibits exceptional stability across a wide pH range and demonstrates remarkable resistance to hydrolysis under normal storage conditions. It contributes significantly to its functionality as a weighting agent and stabilizer. The primary application of SAIB in flavour formulation centers on its role as a density adjustment agent in citrus and other essential oil-based flavouring systems. When citrus oils are incorporated into aqueous beverages, their lower density relative to water causes them to separate and form an undesirable ring at the liquid surface. SAIB addresses this challenge by increasing the density of the oil phase to match that of the aqueous phase, thereby preventing separation and ensuring uniform flavour distribution throughout the product’s shelf life. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sucrose acetate isobutyrate is approved to be used in the food, flavour, and fragrance industries.
Regulatory Status and Safety Considerations
Sucrose acetate isobutyrate has been evaluated by various food safety authorities, like JECFA, ECHACHEM, WHO, and Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It is generally recognized as safe for use in food, cosmetics, flavour, and fragrance applications when used at appropriate levels. SAIB has achieved widespread regulatory approval for use in food and beverage applications. The United States Food and Drug Administration classifies SAIB as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) under 21 CFR 172.833, permitting its use in non-alcoholic beverages at levels up to 300 mg/kg. The European Food Safety Authority has established an acceptable daily intake of 20 mg/kg body weight, reflecting extensive toxicological evaluation and decades of safe use in commercial products. These specifications include limits on heavy metals, residual solvents, and free acids to ensure product safety and consistency. Manufacturers must maintain strict quality control protocols to meet these international standards and provide certificates of analysis confirming compliance with regulatory requirements.
CAS No.: 126-13-6
According to the American Chemical Society, the CAS number of sucrose acetate isobutyrate is 126-13-6.
CAS Name: Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate
Molecular Formula: C40H62O19
Molecular Mass: 846.91
Appearance: Colorless to light yellow, clear liquid
Boiling Point: 105.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Solubility: Soluble in organic solvents. Insoluble in water.
Other Names:
♦ SAIB
♦ Sucrose, diacetate hexaisobutyrate
♦ Saccharose acetate isobutyrate
♦ Sucrose acetoisobutyrate
E Number: E444
According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the E number of sucrose acetate isobutyrate is E444. In 2016, it was re-evaluated and approved as a food additive in foods and beverages.
Bulk Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate Manufacturers
The sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) manufacturing exhibits characteristics of a moderately concentrated market, with production capabilities primarily concentrated among a limited number of established chemical and food ingredient companies. Top sucrose acetate isobutyrate manufacturers like Eastman Chemical maintain their positions as the dominant force in SAIB manufacturing, leveraging decades of experience and technical expertise developed since pioneering commercial SAIB production. Their integrated production approach, combining raw material synthesis with final product manufacturing, provides significant advantages in quality control and supply chain reliability. Several Chinese sucrose acetate isobutyrate manufacturers have established significant production capabilities to serve the rapidly growing beverage industries in Asia. They have invested heavily in expanding production capacity and achieving international quality certifications. These manufacturers increasingly compete in global markets, offering competitive pricing while working to establish reputations for consistent quality and reliable supply.
Sinofi is a bulk sucrose acetate isobutyrate manufacturer in China, and we have a manufacturing facility with 2,500 square meters for the SAIB production. We supply high-quality sucrose acetate isobutyrate at bulk prices and serve global clients in the food, cosmetics, flavour, and fragrance sectors.
Manufacturing Process of Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate
The industrial synthesis of sucrose acetate isobutyrate represents a sophisticated application of carbohydrate chemistry, requiring precise control of multiple esterification reactions and careful management of process conditions to achieve cosmetic and food-grade product specifications. The manufacturing process combines classical organic synthesis techniques with modern process engineering principles to produce a complex mixed ester system with consistent quality attributes and functional performance characteristics.
Fundamental Chemistry and Reaction Mechanisms
The synthesis of SAIB proceeds through the esterification of sucrose hydroxyl groups with a mixture of acetic anhydride and isobutyric anhydride. The reaction follows a nucleophilic acyl substitution mechanism, wherein the hydroxyl groups of sucrose attack the electrophilic carbonyl carbons of the anhydrides, forming tetrahedral intermediates that subsequently collapse to yield the ester products and carboxylic acid byproducts. The overall transformation converts the eight available hydroxyl groups on the sucrose molecule into a statistical mixture of acetate and isobutyrate esters, with the final composition determined by the relative ratios of the anhydride reactants and reaction kinetics.
The reaction chemistry presents several notable challenges that influence process design decisions. The differential reactivity of primary versus secondary hydroxyl groups on the sucrose molecule creates opportunities for regioselectivity but complicates efforts to achieve uniform esterification. Primary hydroxyl groups at the C-6 and C-6′ positions typically exhibit higher reactivity than secondary hydroxyls, leading to preferential esterification at these sites during the initial stages of the reaction. This reactivity difference necessitates careful optimization of reaction conditions to achieve the desired degree of substitution while minimizing the formation of partially esterified intermediates that could compromise product quality.
The choice of catalyst system significantly influences reaction kinetics and product distribution. While uncatalyzed esterification proceeds at commercially viable rates at elevated temperatures, the addition of basic catalysts such as sodium acetate or potassium carbonate accelerates the reaction and improves selectivity. Acidic catalysts, though kinetically favorable, risk glycosidic bond cleavage and sucrose degradation, particularly at the elevated temperatures required for managing the high viscosity of the reaction mixture.
Bulk Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate Suppliers
The global supply of sucrose acetate isobutyrate reflects the complex interplay of concentrated manufacturing capacity, sophisticated distribution networks, and evolving customer requirements within the beverage industry. Top sucrose acetate isobutyrate suppliers like Eastman Chemical maintain their positions as the preeminent suppliers of SAIB globally, leveraging their integrated manufacturing capabilities and extensive technical resources to serve customers across all major markets. Their direct sales approach for large accounts, combined with a selective distribution strategy for broader market coverage, enables them to maintain a strong market presence while protecting pricing discipline.
The emergence of Chinese SAIB suppliers has significantly altered the competitive dynamics within the market over the past decade. They have evolved from regional suppliers primarily serving domestic markets to credible international suppliers competing for global business.
Sinofi is a bulk sucrose acetate isobutyrate supplier in China, and we have a warehouse with 1,200 square meters for high-quality SAIB. We sell different grades of sucrose acetate isobutyrate at wholesale prices to food, cosmetic, flavour, and fragrance manufacturers.
Supply Chain of Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate
The sucrose acetate isobutyrate supply chain exemplifies the complexity inherent in specialized chemical supply networks serving the cosmetic, flavour, fragrance, food, and beverage industry. This complex network transforms basic raw materials through multiple stages of chemical processing, distribution, and formulation to deliver a critical stabilizing ingredient to many industries.
Fundamental Supply Chain Architecture
The primary tier of the supply chain encompasses raw material suppliers providing the three essential inputs for SAIB production: sucrose, acetic anhydride, and isobutyric anhydride. Sucrose sourcing typically involves agricultural suppliers and sugar refiners, with supply relationships influenced by geographic proximity to manufacturing facilities and the ability to meet purity specifications required for chemical synthesis. The anhydride suppliers represent a different supply ecosystem, primarily comprising petrochemical companies producing these materials as part of integrated chemical operations. The intersection of agricultural and petrochemical supply chains at this stage introduces complexity in terms of pricing dynamics, supply seasonality, and risk management requirements.
Manufacturing operations constitute the critical transformation stage where chemical synthesis converts raw materials into SAIB through controlled esterification reactions. The limited number of global manufacturers creates a concentrated node in the supply chain that significantly influences downstream dynamics. These manufacturers must manage complex production scheduling to balance raw material availability, production efficiency, and customer demand patterns while maintaining quality standards required for food-grade applications.
The distribution tier encompasses various channels through which SAIB reaches end users, including direct sales from manufacturers to large beverage companies, regional distribution through specialized chemical distributors, and international trade through trading companies and brokers. This multi-channel structure reflects the diverse requirements of end users in terms of volume, service levels, and technical support needs. The distribution network must accommodate the physical challenges of handling a highly viscous product requiring specialized storage and transportation equipment while managing the commercial complexities of serving customers across different regulatory jurisdictions.
Wholesale and Buy Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate in Bulk
The procurement of sucrose acetate isobutyrate in wholesale quantities demands sophisticated approaches that extend well beyond simple price negotiation to encompass strategic supply chain management, risk mitigation, and value optimization. Sucrose acetate isobutyrate buyers should recognize that effective SAIB procurement requires balancing multiple objectives, including cost optimization, supply security, and quality assurance, while maintaining the flexibility to respond to changing business requirements and market conditions.
Supplier Qualification and Evaluation Processes
The supplier qualification process for SAIB requires rigorous evaluation across multiple dimensions to ensure potential suppliers can meet both current and future requirements. The technical qualification phase should encompass a comprehensive assessment of manufacturing capabilities, quality systems, and analytical testing capacities.
Regulatory compliance and documentation capabilities require thorough evaluation, given the food-grade applications of SAIB and the global nature of beverage supply chains. Suppliers must demonstrate robust systems for maintaining current regulatory approvals, providing comprehensive documentation, and supporting customer regulatory submissions. The evaluation should examine suppliers’ track records in maintaining certifications and other relevant quality system certifications. The ability to provide detailed certificates of analysis, complete technical data packages, and respond quickly to regulatory inquiries distinguishes capable suppliers from those who may struggle to support sophisticated purchasing organizations.
As a bulk manufacturer and supplier of sucrose acetate isobutyrate in China, we supply high-quality sucrose acetate isobutyrate for food, cosmetic, flavour, and fragrance industries. We also wholesale SAIB to small customers. Normally, they want to buy sucrose acetate isobutyrate in small quantities. To serve them, we can wholesale sucrose acetate isobutyrate at bulk prices and provide a one-stop purchasing service.
Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate Prices (USD/Kg)
Food Grade Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate Prices (Purity >=99.0%)
| Volume | Unit Price | Shipment |
| 50g | 8 USD | Express |
| 500g | 38 USD | Express |
| 1Kg | 55 USD/Kg | Express |
| 20Kg | >25% cheaper | Express |
| 100Kg-Above | negotiable | Express / Sea |
The global sucrose acetate isobutyrate prices demonstrate significant variation based on purchase volume, geographic location, quality specifications, and commercial terms. These price ranges reflect logistics costs, duties, and regional distribution margins significantly impacting delivered prices to end users. The pricing differential between large-volume contracts and spot market purchases has widened considerably over recent years, reflecting manufacturers’ preferences for predictable demand patterns and the economic advantages of production planning certainty. Small-volume purchasers acquiring material through distributors may face prices exceeding $50 per Kg when accounting for margins and handling costs.
Furthermore, the above price quotations of sucrose acetate isobutyrate do not include the express shipping fee. The reason is that the shipment cost of SAIB may exceed the value of the sample. However, the bulk wholesale prices of sucrose acetate isobutyrate will be much lower than those of small orders. Please contact us for more details.
Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate Specification
| Appearance: | Colorless to light yellow, clear liquid |
| Purity (%) | 99.0-101.9% |
| Refractive Index (20°C) | 1.4492 – 1.4504 |
| Acid Value (mg KOH/g) | <=0.2 |
| Triacetin (%) | <=0.1 |
| Saponification Value (mg KOH/g) | 524 – 540 |
| Lead (as Pb, mg/Kg) | <=2 |
Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate Uses
Sucrose acetate isobutyrate has established itself as an indispensable functional ingredient across diverse industrial applications, with its unique physicochemical properties enabling solutions to complex formulation challenges in beverages, cosmetics, flavour, and fragrance products.
Primary Applications in Beverage Manufacturing
The beverage industry represents the predominant application sector for sucrose acetate isobutyrate, where it serves multiple functional roles that address fundamental formulation challenges in flavoured beverage systems. The primary function centers on density adjustment for citrus and other essential oil-based flavouring systems, where the inherent density mismatch between hydrophobic flavour oils and aqueous beverage bases would otherwise result in phase separation and the formation of unsightly oil rings at the liquid surface. Through careful incorporation of SAIB into flavour emulsions at concentrations typically ranging from five to twenty percent, formulators achieve density matching that ensures uniform flavour distribution throughout the product’s shelf life, maintaining both sensory consistency and visual appeal.
Beyond its role as a weighting agent, SAIB functions as a critical component in cloud emulsion systems that create the characteristic turbid appearance consumers associate with natural fruit beverages. The stabilization of oil-in-water emulsions by SAIB enables the creation of stable cloudiness that persists throughout distribution and storage, enhancing the perception of fruit content and naturalness even in beverages containing minimal actual fruit components. This dual functionality of providing both flavour stabilization and visual enhancement makes SAIB particularly valuable in citrus-flavoured carbonated soft drinks, sports beverages, and flavoured water products where consumer expectations demand both authentic flavour delivery and appropriate visual characteristics.
Flavour and Fragrance Applications
The application of sucrose acetate isobutyrate in flavour and fragrance formulation represents a critical technical solution to fundamental challenges in creating stable, homogeneous systems that deliver consistent sensory experiences. As the flavour and fragrance industry continues to develop increasingly complex compositions requiring sophisticated delivery mechanisms, SAIB has emerged as an indispensable tool for achieving stability, controlling release profiles, and enhancing performance across diverse application matrices.
Cosmetic and Personal Care Applications
The cosmetic industry utilizes sucrose acetate isobutyrate as a film-former and viscosity modifier in various personal care formulations, where its unique properties provide functional and aesthetic benefits. In nail polish formulations, SAIB contributes to film flexibility and adhesion while providing resistance to chipping and peeling that consumers expect from high-quality products. The compound’s compatibility with nitrocellulose and other film-forming polymers commonly used in nail care products enables formulators to optimize performance characteristics while maintaining application properties that ensure smooth, even coverage. Hair care products, particularly styling aids and treatment formulations, incorporate SAIB to provide hold, shine, and humidity resistance without the stiffness or flaking associated with some traditional polymeric styling agents.
Industrial and Specialty Chemical Applications
The adhesives and coatings industries employ SAIB as a plasticizer and tackifier in specialized formulations where its unique properties provide performance advantages over conventional alternatives. In pressure-sensitive adhesive formulations, SAIB modifies rheological properties to optimize tack and peel strength while maintaining cohesive strength necessary for reliable performance. The compound’s compatibility with various polymer systems and its resistance to migration make it particularly valuable in medical adhesives and food packaging applications where regulatory compliance and long-term stability remain paramount.
Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate Benefits
Sucrose acetate isobutyrate delivers a remarkable spectrum of technical, economic, and operational benefits that have established its position as an essential functional ingredient across multiple industries.
Technical Performance Benefits
The fundamental technical advantages of sucrose acetate isobutyrate stem from its exceptional ability to stabilize complex multiphase systems that would otherwise exhibit incompatibility or separation. In beverage applications, SAIB resolves the inherent density differential between flavour oils and aqueous bases, preventing the phase separation that would compromise both product aesthetics and flavour delivery consistency. This stabilization occurs through precise density adjustment that maintains homogeneous distribution of flavour components throughout the product’s shelf life, ensuring that consumers experience consistent sensory attributes from the first serving to the last.
The compound provides superior emulsion stability compared to alternative weighting agents, maintaining particle size distribution and preventing coalescence even under challenging storage conditions, including temperature cycling and mechanical agitation during transportation. This robust stability translates into extended shelf life for finished products, reducing waste from expired inventory and enabling longer distribution chains that expand market reach. The ability to maintain stability across wide pH ranges, from highly acidic fruit beverages to neutral dairy-based products, provides formulators with exceptional flexibility in product development without requiring multiple stabilization systems for different applications.
Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate Used in Flavour and Fragrance
The application of sucrose acetate isobutyrate in flavour and fragrance formulation represents a sophisticated technical solution that enables product innovations and quality improvements across diverse applications. The compound’s unique ability to stabilize complex oil systems, control release profiles, and enhance performance in challenging environments positions it as an essential tool in the formulator’s arsenal.
Functional Mechanisms in Flavour Systems
The primary function of sucrose acetate isobutyrate in flavour formulation centers on resolving the density differential between essential oils and aqueous phases that would otherwise lead to phase separation and inconsistent flavour delivery. When citrus oils, with typical densities ranging from 0.84 to 0.86 grams per milliliter, are dispersed in aqueous systems with densities near 1.0 grams per milliliter, the natural buoyancy creates rapid separation that compromises both product appearance and flavour uniformity. SAIB, with its density of approximately 1.146 grams per milliliter, enables precise density matching when incorporated into oil phases at concentrations typically between 0.5 and 20 percent of the total flavour system.
The mechanism extends beyond simple density adjustment to encompass viscosity modification that enhances emulsion stability through reduced droplet mobility and coalescence rates. The high viscosity of SAIB, ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 centipoise at 25 degrees Celsius, creates a physical barrier to droplet interaction when incorporated into the dispersed phase of flavour emulsions. This viscosity contribution proves particularly valuable in systems where traditional emulsifiers alone cannot provide adequate long-term stability against creaming, sedimentation, or Ostwald ripening.
The molecular structure of SAIB, featuring both hydrophobic ester groups and residual hydroxyl functionalities, provides limited surfactant properties that complement primary emulsification systems. While not serving as a primary emulsifier, SAIB contributes to interfacial film formation that enhances the mechanical strength of emulsion droplets, improving resistance to shear forces encountered during processing, packaging, and distribution. This synergistic interaction with conventional emulsifiers such as gum arabic, modified starches, and synthetic polymers enables the formulation of robust systems that maintain stability under challenging conditions.
Formulation Strategies for Citrus and Essential Oil Systems
The formulation of citrus flavour systems presents unique challenges due to the high terpene content of natural citrus oils and the inherent instability of these compounds in aqueous environments. SAIB addresses multiple aspects of citrus oil stabilization, from preventing physical separation to reducing chemical degradation through isolation from pro-oxidant factors in the aqueous phase. The incorporation methodology significantly influences final product quality, with pre-dissolution of SAIB in the citrus oil phase at elevated temperatures, typically 50 to 60 degrees Celsius, ensuring complete homogenization before emulsification.
The ratio of SAIB to citrus oil requires careful optimization based on the specific gravity of the final beverage system and the desired droplet size distribution of the emulsion. For standard carbonated soft drinks with specific gravities near 1.04, SAIB incorporation at 10 to 15 percent of the oil phase typically achieves adequate density matching. However, diet beverages with lower specific gravities may require adjusted ratios to maintain stability. The presence of other flavour components, particularly those with densities differing from citrus oils, necessitates recalculation of SAIB requirements to achieve system-wide stability.
The interaction between SAIB and specific citrus oil components influences both stability and sensory characteristics of the final product. Limonene, comprising 90 to 95 percent of orange oil, exhibits excellent compatibility with SAIB, while oxygenated terpenes such as citral and linalool may require formulation adjustments to maintain clarity and prevent crystallization. The selective fractionation of citrus oils to remove unstable terpenes, combined with SAIB stabilization of the remaining components, represents an advanced formulation strategy that maximizes both stability and flavour authenticity.
Applications in Complex Flavour Compositions
Beyond citrus systems, SAIB enables the formulation of complex flavour compositions incorporating multiple oil phases with varying densities and polarities. The stabilization of mint oils, spice extracts, and botanical essences within single emulsion systems requires sophisticated density adjustment strategies that SAIB facilitates through its complete miscibility with diverse oil phases. The ability to create stable mixed oil systems expands formulation possibilities for innovative flavour profiles that combine traditionally incompatible components.
Fragrance Applications and Performance Enhancement
The fragrance industry leverages SAIB’s unique properties to address specific challenges in perfume formulation and functional fragrance applications. As a fixative, SAIB reduces the volatility of fragrance components through physical entrapment and vapor pressure suppression, extending fragrance longevity and improving performance in challenging application environments. The mechanism involves the formation of microscopic domains within the fragrance matrix where volatile components experience reduced evaporation rates while maintaining olfactory availability through controlled diffusion.
The incorporation of SAIB in fine fragrance formulations requires careful consideration of its impact on clarity, viscosity, and spray characteristics. At concentrations typically below 5 percent, SAIB provides fixative benefits without significantly affecting the aesthetic properties critical to luxury fragrance products. The compatibility of SAIB with ethanol-based systems enables its use across the range of fragrance concentrations from eau de toilette to parfum, with optimization based on the specific volatile profile of each composition.
Technical Considerations for Implementation
Successful incorporation of SAIB into flavour systems requires careful attention to processing parameters and formulation compatibility. The high viscosity of SAIB necessitates appropriate mixing equipment and may require heating to 40-50°C to facilitate handling and ensure homogeneous distribution within the flavour emulsion. Pre-dilution with approved solvents such as medium-chain triglycerides can improve handling characteristics while maintaining functional performance.
When formulating with SAIB, engineers must consider its interaction with other emulsion components, including surfactants, preservatives, and antioxidants. The compound generally demonstrates good compatibility with commonly used emulsifiers such as gum arabic, modified starches, and synthetic polymers. However, formulation pH should be maintained between 3.0 and 7.0 to prevent potential hydrolysis during extended storage periods.
An Emulsified Flavouring System
Include the following ingredients (Total 1 Kg):
Octenyl Succinate Esterified Gum Arabic, 120g; Citric Acid, 10g; Sodium Benzoate, 1g; Phospholipids, 10g; Lemon Oil, 100g; Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, 64.5g; and the rest is water. The phospholipids contain 8wt% lysophosphatidylcholine.
In conclusion, the adoption of sucrose acetate isobutyrate in the formulations provides manufacturers with opportunities for competitive differentiation through superior product quality, extended shelf life, and enhanced sensory attributes. As a bulk SAIB manufacturer and supplier in China, we sell different grades of sucrose acetate isobutyrate at wholesale prices to large manufacturers and small customers worldwide.