E1202 Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) is a cross-linked synthetic polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer.

Breakdown of the name and function of the components

• Polyvinyl - Refers to the presence of repeating units derived from the vinyl monomer.
• Polypyrrolidone - Indicates the presence of repeating units derived from pyrrolidone.

Description and function of the raw materials used in production

• Vinylpyrrolidone (VP) - This is the main monomer used in the production of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). VP is a colorless or slightly yellow organic compound with a slightly musty odor.
• Initiators - Chemicals that initiate the polymerization reaction. These might include peroxides and other radical compounds.

Summary of its industrial synthesis process step by step

• Preparation of the reaction mixture - Vinylpyrrolidone is mixed with an appropriate initiator and other reaction components, such as stabilizers.
• Polymerization - The mixture undergoes polymerization, often in the presence of heat, to form polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). During this process, VP molecules bind together to form long polymer chains.
• Cross-linking - To form polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, PVP is further treated to create cross-links between the polymer chains, making the structure more rigid and insoluble.
• Purification - Once the reaction is complete, the product is purified to remove any unreacted monomers, initiators, and other impurities.
• Drying - Residual moisture is removed through drying processes.
• Granulation or powdering - The product may then be granulated or powdered depending on the needs of the final application.

It appears as a white, water-insoluble, hydrophilic powder.

What it is used for and where

Food

Ingredient included in the list of European food additives as E1202 with an anti-caking and binding agent function. It is a clarifying agent in wine production with protein-like characteristics (1) and is a polyphenol stabiliser. In the brewing industry it is a filter element.

Safety

EFSA's Scientific Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings concluded that there is no need for numerical acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) for PVP and PVPP and that there are no safety concerns for the declared uses and use levels of PVP and PVPP as food additives. The Panel also concluded that the proposed extension of use should not raise safety concerns at the proposed maximum permitted level (MPL) and recommended consumption level (2).

Other uses

Phenolic isolation

• Molecular Formula  (C₆H₉NO)n
• Peso molecolare      
• CAS  
• UNII    
• EC Number

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Chen, K., Escott, C., Loira, I., Del Fresno, J.M., Morata, A., Tesfaye, W., Calderon, F., Benito, S. and Suárez-Lepe, J.A., 2016. The effects of pre-fermentative addition of oenological tannins on wine components and sensorial qualities of red wine. Molecules, 21(11), p.1445.

Abstract. Today in the wine industry, oenological tannins are widely used to improve wine quality and prevent oxidation in wine aging. With the development of tannin products, new oenological tannins are developed with many specific functions, such as modifying antioxidant effect, colour stabilization and aroma modifications. The aim of this work is to investigate effects of pre-fermentative addition of oenological tannins on wine colour, anthocyanins, volatile compounds and sensorial properties. In this case, Syrah juice was extracted with classic flash thermovinification from fresh must in order to release more colour and tannins. Three types of oenological tannins, which are, respectively, derived from grape skin, seed (Vitis vinifera) and French oak (Quercus robur and Querrus petraea), were selected to carry out the experiments with seven treatments. Results indicated that tannin treatments significantly improved wine aroma complexity and sensorial properties. However, the concentration of some stable pigments such as Vitisin A, Vitisin A-Ac and Vitisin B was negatively affected by tannin additions. Nevertheless, by means of cluster analysis and principal component analysis, it was observed that higher alcohols were significantly promoted by grape seed tannin while most anthocyanins can be improved by addition of grape tannins. In conclusion, low amount of oenological tannin derived from grape seed is a promising method to be applied especially for young red wine making.

Jeantet, R. and Perrocheau, L., 2016. From barley to beer. Handbook of Food Science and Technology 3: Food Biochemistry and Technology, pp.205-230.

Abstract. Barley (Hordeum vulgare), a member of the grass family originating in the Middle East, is a major cereal grain. It is possible to make beer from any cereal grain containing starch, but barley has advantages that make it ideal for beer production. Two-row (Hordeum distichum) or six-row barley (Hordeum hexastichum) is commonly used for making beer. The barley used in malting has well-defined botanical, biological and biochemical characteristics. Most malt is produced from barley, but it is possible to produce malt from wheat, rye, oats, triticale, corn, sorghum or rice. Processing barley into malt involves three main steps: steeping, germinating and kilning. Barley, water, hops and yeast are the basic ingredients of beer. These elements are gradually transformed into beer during four main stages - malting, brewing, fermentation and packaging. To ensure the proper preservation of beer, pasteurization can be carried out in bulk (flash pasteurization) or after packaging (pasteurization).

(2) EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), Younes, M., Aquilina, G., Castle, L., Engel, K.H., Fowler, P., Fürst, P., Gürtler, R., Gundert‐Remy, U., Husøy, T. and Manco, M., 2020. Re‐evaluation of polyvinylpyrrolidone (E 1201) and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (E 1202) as food additives and extension of use of polyvinylpyrrolidone (E 1201). EFSA Journal, 18(8), p.e06215.

Abstract. The present opinion deals with the re-evaluation of polyvinylpyrrolidone (E 1201, PVP) and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (E 1202, PVPP) when used as food additives. One request for extension of use of PVP (E 1201) in foods for special medical purposes was also considered in this assessment. The Panel followed the conceptual framework under Commission Regulation (EU) No 257/2010 and considered that: the exposure assessment was based on the reported use and use levels (one food category out of the two food categories in which PVP and PVPP are authorised); the 95th percentile of exposure to PVP and PVPP of maximally 23.7 and 25 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day in children, respectively, was overestimated, because it was assumed that 100% of the food supplements consumed contained PVP or PVPP at the maximum reported use levels; the extension of use of PVP (E 1201) to foods for special medical purposes (FC 13.2) would result in an exposure of PVP of 4.3 mg/kg bw per day for children; the absorption of PVP and PVPP is very low; sufficient toxicity data were available for PVP; there is no concern with respect to the genotoxicity of PVP and PVPP; no carcinogenic effects were reported in carcinogenicity studies in rats at a dose of 2,500 mg PVP/kg bw per day, the highest dose tested; there is no need for chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity data for PVPP for the safety assessment of PVPP given the chemical similarity between PVP and PVPP, and the lack of adverse effects in the available repeated dose toxicity studies. Therefore, the Panel concluded that there is no need for numerical acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) for PVP and PVPP, and that there is no safety concern for the reported uses and use levels of PVP and PVPP as food additives. The Panel further concluded that the proposed extension of use is not expected to be of safety concern at the proposed maximum permitted level (MPL) and recommended consumption level.