What is E999?

Complete guide to understanding E999 (Quillaia Extract) in your food

The Quick Answer

E999 is quillaia extract (also called quillay bark extract, soapbark extract, or murillo bark extract), a natural plant-derived extract from the bark of the Quillaja saponaria tree native to Chile—used as an emulsifying and foaming agent to improve texture and create stable foam in beverages and foods.

It’s a concentrated aqueous extract of the inner bark of the quillay tree, containing high concentrations of saponins (natural surfactant compounds) that function as emulsifiers and foaming agents, used primarily in soft drinks, flavored beverages, and specialty food products.

E999 quillaia extract is a natural food additive with regulatory approval across multiple jurisdictions, functioning as a plant-derived alternative to synthetic emulsifiers, with established safety profile from century-plus history of use in traditional applications and recent comprehensive EFSA re-evaluation documenting safety margins.

The Critical Context—Natural Emulsifier With Established Safety Profile

E999 quillaia extract is a natural plant-derived emulsifier and foaming agent extracted from Chilean quillay tree bark, approved by EFSA (2019, 2024 re-evaluations), FDA, and JECFA with documented safety profile, functioning as a plant-based alternative to synthetic emulsifiers (polysorbates) and animal-based alternatives (lecithin from fish or egg), with primary use in soft drinks and limited secondary applications in other foods.

What Exactly Is It?

E999 is quillaia extract (Quillaja saponaria extract), an aqueous extract of the inner bark of the Quillaja saponaria tree (family Rosaceae), native to Chile, containing concentrated saponins (glycosides of quillaic acid) and other plant compounds.

Quillaia extract is obtained by water extraction of the milled inner bark or wood of pruned stems and branches of Quillaja saponaria. The extract is processed into two standardized types based on saponin content: Type 1 (approximately 20% saponins) and Type 2 (65-90% saponins on dry basis). The extract contains triterpenoid saponins (primary active components), polyphenols including tannins, sugars (glucose, galactose, arabinose, xylose, rhamnose), and calcium oxalate.

Physically, E999 appears as a light brown liquid or light red-brown powder depending on processing (spray-dried powder may contain carriers such as lactose or maltodextrin). It has virtually no odor despite plant origin, with characteristic bitter taste from saponins and tannins.

Chemically, E999 functions as a surfactant (surface-active agent) through saponins’ amphiphilic structure: the glycosidic (sugar) portion is hydrophilic (water-affinity), while the triterpenoid nucleus is lipophilic (fat-affinity). This structure allows saponins to position at fat-water interfaces, breaking large droplets into fine micelles for stable emulsions, and to form stable foam by creating thin films of liquid at air-water interfaces with high surface elasticity.

Where You’ll Find It

E999 quillaia extract appears in various foods and beverages, with concentrated use in soft drinks:

• Soft drinks (root beer, cream soda, ginger beer, carbonated beverages)
• Slush syrups and frozen carbonated beverages
• Beer and low-alcohol beverages
• Juices and flavored water drinks
• Wine coolers and schnapps
• Barley drinks
• Bar mixers and cocktail bases
• Baked goods (limited use)
• Frozen dairy products (ice cream, frozen custard)
• Puddings and gelatins
• Candies and confectionery
• Flavored drink mixes
• Food supplements (recent EU authorization, 2024)

E999 is particularly prevalent in soft drinks and carbonated beverages, where the foaming function is central to product characteristics (especially root beer, cream soda). The foaming agent function distinguishes quillaia extract from other emulsifiers (lecithin, polysorbates) which lack comparable foam-creating capacity.

Why Do Food Companies Use It?

E999 performs multiple critical commercial functions with specific advantages over synthetic alternatives:

Natural foaming with superior performance and emulsification: E999 quillaia extract creates stable, persistent foam in soft drinks and carbonated beverages through saponin’s unique surface chemistry. The foam remains stable (resisting collapse from gas diffusion and liquid drainage) far better than synthetic alternatives. Saponins’ high surface activity allows formation of thin liquid films at foam interfaces with exceptional elasticity. At 0.05-0.3% concentration, quillaia extract creates the characteristic foam in root beer, cream soda, and ginger beer. Additionally, the extract provides emulsifying function for combining fat-soluble flavors, colors, or nutrient additions into aqueous systems.

Why quillaia extract over alternatives: E999 is selected over synthetic emulsifiers (E432-E436 polysorbates) for specific applications because of superior foaming properties (polysorbates create inferior foam). It’s selected over lecithin due to: (1) superior foam creation, (2) no fish by-product origin (lower allergenicity and ethical concerns vs fish-derived lecithin), (3) plant-based positioning appealing to “clean label” consumers, (4) resistance to oxidation and shear stress superior to lecithin. The natural origin positioning—particularly relevant post-soy lecithin health/environmental concerns—drives adoption by health-conscious manufacturers.

Is It Safe?

E999’s safety status is APPROVED with comprehensive regulatory evaluation—the 2019 EFSA re-evaluation establishing ADI of 3 mg saponins/kg bw per day, with recent 2024 follow-up confirming safety while recommending specification improvements for characterization and toxic element control.

Regulatory Status—Comprehensively Evaluated:

• FDA (USA): Approved for GRAS status (Generally Recognized As Safe)
• EFSA (Europe): Approved with ADI of 3 mg saponins/kg bw per day (2019 re-evaluation); 2024 follow-up recommended specification improvements
• JECFA (WHO/FAO): Approved; differentiated Type 1 and Type 2 specifications
• Historical use: Centuries of traditional use (bark extract); documented use since early 1900s in beverages

Documented safety findings and assessments:

• No genotoxicity: EFSA assessment of genotoxicity data found no concern
• No carcinogenicity: No evidence of carcinogenic potential documented
• Saponin mechanism: Adverse effects documented at high doses related to saponin presence; gastrointestinal irritation, organ weight changes at doses far exceeding food-use levels
• Calcium oxalate component: Present in extract; potential concern in high exposures; specifications should include maximum limits (currently lacking in EU)
• Polyphenol/tannin content: Present in extract; limited data on long-term effects; specifications should characterize to ensure consistency
• Metabolism: Saponins poorly absorbed in intestine; largely excreted unchanged or metabolized by gut microbiota
• Allergy/Sensitivity: No documented food allergy; no fish by-product origin reduces allergenicity compared to fish-derived lecithin
• Microbiota effects: Saponins have prebiotic-like effects; potential beneficial interaction with gut bacteria (not adverse effect)
• Historical safety: Century-plus use as beverage ingredient and traditional bark extract supports long-term safety

Saponin Content and Specification Variability

A critical issue identified by EFSA (2019, 2024) is that historical EU specifications for E999 poorly characterized saponin content variability, requiring revised specifications to differentiate Type 1 (∼20% saponins) from Type 2 (65-90% saponins):

The safety assessment is based on saponin content—the active compounds producing adverse effects at high doses. However, historical EU specifications did not differentiate between quillaia extracts of different saponin content. JECFA specifications defined Type 1 and Type 2 with clear saponin ranges, but EU specifications lacked this clarity. EFSA recommended that the European Commission revise specifications to explicitly state saponin content ranges, include polyphenol/tannin ranges, specify protein, polysaccharide, and calcium oxalate parameters, and establish maximum limits for toxic elements (arsenic, lead, mercury).

The 2024 follow-up assessment acknowledged partial implementation of these recommendations through Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2084, which revised E999 specifications and lowered toxic element limits. This represents regulatory responsiveness to scientific assessment recommendations.

Production Method

E999 quillaia extract is produced through natural extraction and concentration from Quillaja saponaria tree bark:

1. Quillaja saponaria trees native to Chile are sustainably harvested; inner bark and wood of pruned stems/branches are collected
2. Bark material is milled/ground to increase surface area
3. Aqueous extraction: Milled bark is extracted with water under controlled conditions; saponins and other water-soluble components dissolve
4. The extract is filtered to remove insoluble material using diatomaceous earth filtration
5. Extract is concentrated (typically through evaporation or other concentration methods)
6. Stabilizing agents (egg albumin, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone) are added to remove substances that would precipitate during storage (protein-polyphenol complexes)
7. Final extract is standardized and may be spray-dried into powder form with carriers (lactose, maltodextrin, maltitol)
8. Product is standardized for saponin content, microbiological quality, and toxic element levels

Production is entirely natural origin (plant extraction and concentration) with no chemical synthesis.

Natural Origin and Sustainability

E999 quillaia extract represents natural plant origin with sustainable harvesting practices:

Quillaja saponaria is native to Chile and sustainably harvested from pruned stems and branches rather than whole-tree harvesting, allowing regeneration and long-term sustainability. The outer bark is removed to access the economically valuable inner bark. Marketing of “sustainably harvested” and “certified organic” E999 reflects commitment to environmental stewardship. The utilization of pruned branch/stem material (typically discarded in forestry) represents waste utilization, converting low-value material into valuable ingredient.

Comparison with Alternative Emulsifiers

E999 quillaia extract competes with multiple emulsifier classes, each with distinct advantages and disadvantages:

• E322 (Lecithin, plant-derived): Plant-based; highly processed; facing increasing consumer concerns about soy (GMO, monoculture); limited foaming properties; susceptible to oxidation
• E435 (Polysorbate 80): Synthetic; widely used; excellent water solubility; superior stability to lecithin; inferior foam; petrochemical origin
• E412 (Guar gum): Plant-based; thickening agent; not true emulsifier; different functional category
• Fish lecithin: Natural but animal-derived; superior to soy lecithin but ethical/allergenicity concerns; no fish by-products in quillaia processing
• E999 (Quillaia extract): Natural plant origin; superior foaming; resistance to oxidation; sustainable sourcing; no fish by-products; environmental/health positioning advantage

Environmental and Sustainability Impact

E999 quillaia extract production represents positive environmental positioning: sustainable harvesting of Chilean native tree using pruned material waste, no petroleum inputs, renewable agricultural source, and biodegradable extract. However, agricultural production carries environmental costs (land use, water, pesticide potential). The “clean label” and sustainability narrative drive adoption in environmentally-conscious food markets.

Saponin-Based Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Applications

Beyond food use, saponins from quillaia extract have documented applications in pharmaceuticals and agriculture:

Saponins are used as adjuvants to enhance immune response in vaccine formulations—a pharmaceutical application indicating bioactive properties. Additionally, saponins are approved as biopesticide active ingredients for controlling nematodes and pathogenic fungi in agricultural crops, reflecting documented antimicrobial properties. These non-food applications provide additional evidence of saponin bioactivity and safety profile evaluation in regulatory systems beyond food.

Consumer Actions Regarding E999

For consumers concerned about E999:

• Natural origin (plant-derived) appeals to “clean label” consumers seeking minimal synthetic additives
• EFSA comprehensive re-evaluation (2019, 2024) provides strong safety documentation and transparency
• Primary use in soft drinks—if limiting soft drink consumption for other reasons, E999 exposure automatically minimized
• No documented allergies or sensitivities; no fish by-products (advantage over fish-derived lecithin)
• Sustainable sourcing positioning supports environmental values for conscientious consumers
• GRAS and regulatory approval across FDA, EFSA, JECFA provides multiple-authority safety validation
• Specification improvements (2024 EU regulation) address historical characterization concerns, strengthening confidence

The Bottom Line

E999 (quillaia extract) is a naturally-derived plant extract obtained from the inner bark of Quillaja saponaria tree native to Chile, concentrated to contain saponins (glycosides of quillaic acid) and other plant compounds, approved by FDA, EFSA (with 2019 re-evaluation establishing ADI of 3 mg saponins/kg bw per day and 2024 specification refinement), and JECFA for use as emulsifier and foaming agent primarily in soft drinks and secondarily in other foods, functioning as a plant-based alternative to synthetic emulsifiers and animal-derived lecithin with superior foaming properties, sustainable sourcing, and established safety profile from century-plus food use history and comprehensive modern regulatory evaluation.

E999 is an aqueous extract of quillay tree bark containing concentrated saponins (natural surfactant compounds) along with polyphenols, tannins, and sugars. It functions as an emulsifier and foaming agent through saponins’ amphiphilic structure: hydrophilic sugar portion and lipophilic triterpenoid nucleus allowing positioning at fat-water and air-water interfaces to create stable emulsions and persistent foam.

The critical distinction of E999 is that it represents a natural plant-derived emulsifier gaining market share against synthetic alternatives (polysorbates) and traditional plant alternatives (soy lecithin) due to superior foaming properties, sustainability positioning, lack of fish by-products (reducing allergenicity), and natural origin appeal. The 2019 EFSA re-evaluation establishing ADI of 3 mg saponins/kg bw per day provides comprehensive safety documentation, with 2024 follow-up refining specifications to differentiate saponin content, characterize polyphenols and other components, and tighten toxic element limits—addressing previous specification vagueness.

The safety concern identified by EFSA is saponin-specific: at doses far exceeding food use, saponins produce gastrointestinal irritation and organ weight changes. However, current food use and proposed extensions result in exposures (0.1-0.7 mg saponins/kg bw per day at 95th percentile refined exposure) well below the ADI of 3 mg saponins/kg bw per day, providing substantial safety margin. Calcium oxalate and polyphenol/tannin components present in crude extract require specification control to ensure consistency.

E999’s primary commercial application is creating stable foam in soft drinks (root beer, cream soda, ginger beer)—a functional property where quillaia extract has no synthetic peer. Secondary applications in frozen dairy, baked goods, and supplements rely on emulsifying properties. The natural origin, sustainability narrative, and lack of fish by-products position E999 as the environmentally and health-conscious alternative to traditional emulsifiers in premium food products.

For consumers, E999 represents a natural food additive with comprehensive regulatory validation, sustainable sourcing, and established safety profile from extensive use history and modern scientific evaluation. The recent 2024 EU specification refinement demonstrates regulatory commitment to ensuring quality and safety through tighter characterization and toxic element control.