E636 Flavour enhancer

E636 is a naturally occurring organic compound that is used primarily as a flavor enhancer. It is found in the bark of the larch tree, in pine needles, and in roasted malt (from which it gets its name). It is a white crystalline powder that is soluble in hot water, chloroform, and other polar solvents. Because it has the odor of cotton candy and caramel, E636 is used to impart a sweet aroma to fragrances. E636 sweetness adds to the odor of freshly baked bread and is used as a flavor enhancer (INS number 636) in bread and cakes.

E636, like related 3-hydroxy-4-pyrones such as kojic acid, binds to hard metal centers such as Fe3+, Ga3+, Al3+, and VO2+. Related to this property, E636 has been reported to greatly increase aluminum uptake in the body, and to increase the oral bioavailability of gallium and iron. It is known in the European E number food additive series as E636.