DATEM

Processed

DATEM

DATEM—diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides—is an anionic bakery emulsifier made by reacting mono- and diglycerides with tartaric and acetic acid anhydrides. It strengthens gluten networks, improves gas retention, and raises loaf volume in pan bread, rolls, and many yeasted doughs. On the plant floor it is a pale powder or soft paste dosed at low percentages of flour weight, often alongside enzymes and oxidants in improver blends. Effective DATEM disperses evenly in dough without greasy spots, smells mildly acidic-ester rather than rancid, and delivers taller, finer crumb when flour protein and mixing allow. Overdose can tighten dough excessively or leave off-notes. Store sealed and cool; the ester is moisture-sensitive in humid rooms. EU code E472e and parallel approvals make it a global standard for industrial white bread.

Also known as: E472e, DATEM, Diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides, Diacetylweinsäureester, DATEM nyūkazai, Diacetyl tartaric acid mono-diglycerides

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Characteristics

Preparations

Blended With FlourDispersed In DoughPowderPremix In ImproverSoft Paste

Provenance

ConventionalNon-GMO OptionsVegetable Origin

Sources

Industrial SynthesisOutdoor FarmedPlantation

Traits

Anionic Dough StrengthenerBakery CentricFunctional Group: EmulsifierGluten InteractiveLow Dose ActiveMild Acid Ester NoteMoisture Sensitive In StoreVolume Enhancing

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 408

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 0.92 g
  • Saturated Fat 0.5 g
  • Trans Fat 0 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 0.21 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • Sodium 18.8 mg
  • Salt 0.05 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 84.6 g
  • Dietary Fibre 0 g
  • Total Sugars 84.3 g
  • Complex / starch 2.13 g
  • Protein 1.91 g
  • Water 4.86 g
Detailed nutrients

Refined processed sweeteners and additives are energy-dense carbohydrate with little else.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with DATEM.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

History

US

Diacetyl tartaric esters of monoglycerides were developed as dough strengtheners for commercial bread.

DE

European mills and bakeries adopted DATEM-type improvers for high-speed pan bread lines.

EU

E472e formalised DATEM among diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides.

Combined DATEM–enzyme improvers reduced reliance on some older oxidising agents.

Clean-label pressure pushed partial DATEM replacement, yet many industrial loaves still rely on it for volume.

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