METHYL ACRYLATE-DVB(3.5%), COPOLYMER, AMINOLYZED WITH DMAPA

CAS: 977083-10-5 PROCESSING AID

METHYL ACRYLATE-DVB(3.5%), COPOLYMER, AMINOLYZED WITH DMAPA is a polymeric ion-exchange resin listed by the U.S. FDA as permitted under 21 CFR 173.25 for use as a processing aid. It is not a flavor or color additive but a technical polymer used in food treatment processes such as ion exchange during purification, particularly in water and beverage manufacture.

What It Is

METHYL ACRYLATE-DVB(3.5%), COPOLYMER, AMINOLYZED WITH DMAPA is a synthetic polymeric compound belonging to the class of ion-exchange resins used in food processing. Identified by CAS number 977083-10-5, it consists of a copolymer of methyl acrylate and divinylbenzene with about 3.5% divinylbenzene content, subsequently aminolyzed with dimethylaminopropylamine to introduce amine functional groups. As a processing aid, it does not contribute flavor or nutritional value to food but serves specific technological functions during food manufacture. This ingredient is included in the FDA Substances Added to Food inventory, indicating its recognized role in certain food processing contexts under U.S. law. The polymeric structure and functionalization with amine groups make it effective for interacting with ionic species in aqueous systems during treatment processes to selectively capture or exchange ions. Food chemists and regulatory specialists refer to this material not as a traditional food ingredient but as a polymeric processing aid that plays a role in food handling systems. Due to its high molecular weight and polymeric structure, it remains mostly insoluble and bound within processing equipment rather than being present in the finished food. Its technical use centers around facilitating purification steps or ion modification without significantly altering the food's composition apart from the intended technical effect. In the regulatory context, it is classified under the category of ion-exchange resins used for food treatment rather than additives like emulsifiers or preservatives.

How It Is Made

The production of METHYL ACRYLATE-DVB(3.5%), COPOLYMER, AMINOLYZED WITH DMAPA typically involves the copolymerization of methyl acrylate monomers with divinylbenzene, where the divinylbenzene serves as a cross-linking agent to form a three-dimensional polymer network. After polymerization, the resulting polymer is treated with dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) in a process known as aminolysis, which introduces amine functional groups into the polymer structure. These amine groups enhance the polymer’s capacity to interact with charged species in aqueous solutions, which is central to its use as an ion-exchange processing aid. The copolymerization reaction generally occurs in a controlled environment where initiators and solvents help facilitate chain growth and cross-linking. The level of cross-linking (about 3.5% divinylbenzene) influences the rigidity and porosity of the polymeric resin, affecting its performance in ion exchange contexts. After synthesis and aminolysis, the polymer is typically washed and processed to remove unreacted monomers and byproducts, yielding a stable resin with functional amine groups. Manufacturing specifications focus on achieving consistent cross-link density and surface functionality, which are crucial for predictable performance in food processing applications. Although specific industrial synthesis conditions are proprietary to manufacturers, the general approach relies on established polymer chemistry techniques that produce high-molecular-weight ion-exchange polymers. These techniques are similar to those used to produce other functionalized resins employed in water treatment and chromatography, where control over cross-linking and functional group distribution determines the resin’s practical properties.

Why It Is Used In Food

METHYL ACRYLATE-DVB(3.5%), COPOLYMER, AMINOLYZED WITH DMAPA is used in food processing primarily for its ion-exchange properties, which help in purification and modification steps during manufacturing. As a processing aid, it facilitates the removal or exchange of specific ions in aqueous food matrices, such as water or beverage streams, improving clarity, stability, or other functional parameters of the product without altering sensory attributes. Its inclusion in regulatory inventories such as the FDA Substances Added to Food reflects its accepted technical role under stipulated conditions. The polymer contains functional amine groups that can interact with charged species, making it effective for applications where ion removal or replacement is desirable. For example, such resins might be used to treat process water to reduce undesirable ionic content that could affect fermentation, flavor stability, or shelf life. The material’s resilience and reusability in treatment systems make it useful in industrial settings where repeated processing cycles occur. Unlike traditional additives that impart flavor or texture, ion-exchange resins act on specific chemical species, serving a non-nutritive, technical purpose within the production workflow. Manufacturers and food processors choose such materials when standard filtration or chemical treatments are insufficient for achieving target ion profiles. Because the polymeric resin remains largely bound within treatment systems, it is not intended to be present in significant amounts in finished foods, and its function is confined to processing steps governed by regulatory conditions.

Adi Example Calculation

Because METHYL ACRYLATE-DVB(3.5%), COPOLYMER, AMINOLYZED WITH DMAPA is used as a processing aid rather than an additive that contributes directly to the diet, illustrative calculations of an acceptable daily intake are not directly applicable. Instead, regulatory guidance focuses on assessing extractable substances from the resin that could migrate into food during processing. If such extractables were identified and had established limits, an illustrative calculation might involve comparing the residual level in food with a regulatory threshold expressed per kilogram of body weight. However, in the absence of such specific numeric values, a general illustration cannot be provided.

Safety And Health Research

Scientific evaluations for polymeric processing aids such as METHYL ACRYLATE-DVB(3.5%), COPOLYMER, AMINOLYZED WITH DMAPA typically focus on assessing the potential for extractable substances and residues to migrate into food during processing. Ion-exchange resins are designed to remain within treatment systems and not be present at significant levels in finished food products. Regulatory status under frameworks such as the FDA inventory reflects an assessment that, when used according to prescribed conditions, the material does not pose undue safety concerns related to its technical function rather than direct ingestion. The high molecular weight and cross-linked nature limit systemic bioavailability if trace amounts occurred. Comprehensive toxicological data specific to this polymer are limited in publicly accessible databases, and safety assessments emphasize usage conditions and extractable limits rather than specific physiological endpoints.

Regulatory Status Worldwide

In the United States, METHYL ACRYLATE-DVB(3.5%), COPOLYMER, AMINOLYZED WITH DMAPA is listed in the FDA Substances Added to Food inventory as permitted for use as a processing aid under 21 CFR 173.25, which covers ion-exchange resins used in food treatment processes. This designation means that it is recognized by the FDA for specified technical uses in food processing, subject to the conditions outlined in the regulation. Section 173.25 enumerates various ion-exchange resins, including methyl acrylate-divinylbenzene copolymers aminolyzed with dimethylaminopropylamine at the specified divinylbenzene content level, as acceptable when used appropriately in purification steps.

Taste And Functional Properties

METHYL ACRYLATE-DVB(3.5%), COPOLYMER, AMINOLYZED WITH DMAPA does not contribute directly to the taste or sensory profile of food products due to its high molecular weight and insoluble polymeric nature. In most processing scenarios, it is not present in the final food item at levels that would impart flavor or texture, as its role is confined to treatment steps such as ion exchange within aqueous streams. Functionally, the polymer’s amine groups provide sites for ionic interaction, enabling the material to bind or swap charged species in solution. This property makes it valuable in applications where selective ion removal improves water quality or supports downstream processing objectives. The resin’s stability across typical food processing conditions, including moderate temperatures and pH ranges, ensures consistent performance without degradation that could compromise food safety or quality. Because this material is used as a processing aid rather than a food ingredient, sensory evaluations generally focus on the quality of the treated product rather than the polymer itself. The absence of pronounced odor or taste from the finished food aligns with its classification as a processing aid that fulfills a technical role without imparting organoleptic effects.

Acceptable Daily Intake Explained

For processing aids such as METHYL ACRYLATE-DVB(3.5%), COPOLYMER, AMINOLYZED WITH DMAPA, numeric acceptable daily intake (ADI) values are generally not established because these materials are not intended to be present in significant amounts in the final food consumed. Instead, their safety evaluation focuses on ensuring that extractable substances or residues from processing do not exceed levels of concern. In contrast to additives that are ingested directly, processing aids rely on technical function assessments and extraction limits to manage potential exposure. Regulatory frameworks may require testing of extractables under simulated conditions to confirm that any migration into food is negligible. This approach supports the principle that the material’s contribution to overall dietary exposure remains minimal. Although specific numeric ADI values are not established for such high-molecular-weight polymers, the regulatory acceptance under conditions such as those in 21 CFR 173.25 reflects a conclusion that use under specified conditions does not raise significant safety concerns.

Comparison With Similar Additives

Compared with other processing aids and polymeric resins such as completely hydrolyzed methyl acrylate-divinylbenzene copolymers or other cross-linked ion-exchange polymers, METHYL ACRYLATE-DVB(3.5%), COPOLYMER, AMINOLYZED WITH DMAPA is characterized by its specific functionalization with amine groups that facilitate cation exchange. Completely hydrolyzed copolymers may offer different ion selectivity profiles due to differences in functional groups and water affinity, leading to varied performance in purification systems. Other cross-linked resins without amine functionality may serve broader filtration roles where ionic interactions are less specific. The choice among such materials depends on the processing objective, such as targeting specific ions or achieving broader purification goals. Overall, these polymeric processing aids differ in chemical structure and functional group distribution, which translate to differences in their technical applications within food treatment systems.

Common Food Applications Narrative

In industrial food processing, METHYL ACRYLATE-DVB(3.5%), COPOLYMER, AMINOLYZED WITH DMAPA finds its role in systems where control over ionic composition is crucial. For example, treatment of process water in beverage production may involve the use of ion-exchange resins to reduce levels of certain ions that could otherwise affect fermentation, stability, or final product clarity. In such contexts, the polymeric resin works within filtration and treatment units, exchanging undesirable ions with more acceptable ones or removing them altogether, thereby supporting product consistency and quality. This ingredient may also be employed in the purification stages of water used for ingredient dissolution or cleaning processes, where reduced ionic load can help meet quality specifications. Its utility extends to scenarios where repeated passes of water through ion-exchange systems improve overall efficiency and product outcomes. Although the resin itself is not intentionally present in the finished food, its function during treatment ensures that the processes yield products meeting defined technical criteria. Because it is categorized as a processing aid under regulatory frameworks such as 21 CFR 173.25, its use is aligned with specific conditions that govern safety and performance. Food producers rely on materials like this to achieve performance targets in treatment systems, and its inclusion in regulatory inventories signals that it has been reviewed and accepted for such applications.

Safety & Regulations

FDA

  • Approved: True
  • Regulation: 21 CFR 173.25

EFSA

  • Notes: No authoritative EFSA evaluation found

JECFA

  • Notes: No JECFA evaluation found

Sources

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