Industry Pain Point Finally Solved! Zhongqi Silicon Launches ZLSILW58BF Ultra-Low Iron Silica to Eliminate Ethyl Maltol Discoloration

Created on 05.22

Zhongqi (Guangdong) Silicon Materials Co., Ltd. has officially launched its revolutionary food-grade silicon dioxide product ZLSILW58BF. Leveraging an exclusive ultra-low iron and ultra-low heavy metal production process, this product maintains a stable iron content of approximately 50ppm (≤100ppm)—only 1/10 of the industry average—completely eliminating the long-standing ethyl maltol discoloration problem plaguing the compound sweetener and flavor industries.

Close-up of ultra-low iron food-grade silicon dioxide powder

As the most widely used flavor enhancer in the food industry, ethyl maltol significantly improves product flavor but is extremely sensitive to iron ions. Scientific research confirms that the phenolic hydroxyl groups in its molecular structure undergo a specific complexation reaction with ferric ions to form purple-red complexes. Even trace amounts of iron ions at the parts-per-million level can cause white powder products to gradually turn pink or even deep red, resulting in direct customer complaints and return losses.

Laboratory testing of food-grade silicon dioxide

"In the past, the industry could only passively mitigate this issue by replacing stainless steel equipment or adding masking agents, which was not only costly but also failed to provide a complete solution," said the Technical Director of Zhongqi Silicon. "ZLSILW58BF addresses the problem at the source. Using semiconductor-grade raw material purification technology and an all-ceramic iron-free production process, we have reduced iron content to the lowest level in the industry. Third-party authoritative testing shows that even when mixed with high concentrations of ethyl maltol and subjected to accelerated aging for 30 days, the product remains pure white with no discoloration."

Infographic of ethyl maltol interaction with iron ions

According to official SPEC documents, ZLSILW58BF has a silicon dioxide purity of ≥99.0%, a DBP oil absorption value of 260-330ml/100g, and a BET specific surface area of 170-210m²/g. All physical and chemical indicators are fully compatible with ordinary food-grade silicon dioxide, allowing customers to directly replace it without adjusting existing formulas and processes. Currently, this product has passed mass production verification by more than ten leading domestic compound sweetener manufacturers.

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