Editing Lecithin (section)

==Production==
Commercial lecithin, as used by food manufacturers, is a mixture of [[phospholipid]]s in [[Vegetable fats and oils|oil]]. The lecithin can be obtained by water degumming the extracted oil of seeds. It is a mixture of various phospholipids, and the composition depends on the origin of the lecithin. A major source of lecithin is [[soybean oil]]. Because of the [[European Union|EU]] requirement to declare additions of allergens in foods, in addition to regulations regarding [[genetically modified crops]], a gradual shift to other sources of lecithin (such as sunflower lecithin) is taking place.<ref>{{cite web |last=Efting |first=Mike |date=August 3, 2021 |title=Emulsifier alternative: sunflower lecithin |website=Food & Beverage Insider |quote=Sunflower lecithin is a promising alternative to the more common soybean lecithin, and could face increased demand from suppliers as a non-GMO product. |access-date=July 24, 2023 |url=https://www.foodbeverageinsider.com/fats-oils/sunflower-lecithin-formidable-emulsifier |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724222511/https://www.foodbeverageinsider.com/fats-oils/sunflower-lecithin-formidable-emulsifier |url-status=live }}</ref> The main phospholipids in lecithin from soy and sunflower are [[phosphatidylcholine]], [[phosphatidylinositol]], [[phosphatidylethanolamine]], [[phosphatidylserine]], and [[phosphatidic acid]]. They are often abbreviated to PC, PI, PE, PS and PA, respectively. Purified phospholipids are produced by companies commercially.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

===Hydrolysed lecithin===
To modify the performance of lecithin to make it suitable for the product to which it is added, it may be hydrolysed enzymatically. In hydrolysed lecithins, a portion of the phospholipids have one fatty acid removed by [[phospholipase]]. Such phospholipids are called lysophospholipids. The most commonly used phospholipase is phospholipase A2, which removes the [[fatty acid]] at the C2 position of glycerol. Lecithins may also be modified by a process called [[fractionation]]. During this process, lecithin is mixed with an alcohol, usually [[ethanol]]. Some phospholipids, such as phosphatidylcholine, have good solubility in ethanol, whereas most other phospholipids do not dissolve well in ethanol. The ethanol is separated from the lecithin sludge, after which the ethanol is removed by evaporation to obtain a phosphatidylcholine-enriched lecithin fraction.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

===Genetically modified crops as a source of lecithin===
As described above, lecithin is highly processed. Therefore, genetically modified (GM) [[protein]] or [[DNA]] from the original [[Genetically-modified crops|GM crop]] from which it is derived often is undetectable – in other words, it is not substantially different from lecithin derived from non-GM crops.<ref name=MarxDissertation>{{cite thesis|first=Gertruida M.|last=Marx|type=PhD|publisher=University of the Free State|date=December 2010 |url=http://etd.uovs.ac.za/ETD-db/theses/available/etd-10042011-094627/unrestricted/MarxGM.pdf |title=Monitoring of genetically modified food products in South Africa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109042604/http://etd.uovs.ac.za/ETD-db/theses/available/etd-10042011-094627/unrestricted/MarxGM.pdf |archive-date=2015-01-09 }}</ref> Nonetheless, consumer concerns about [[genetically modified food]] have extended to highly purified derivatives from GM food, such as lecithin.<ref name=Navigator>{{cite web|website=FoodNavigator|date=July 1, 2005|url=http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science-Nutrition/Danisco-emulsifier-to-subsitute-non-GM-soy-lecithin-as-demand-outstrips-supply|title=Danisco emulsifier to substitute non-GM soy lecithin as demand outstrips supply|access-date=January 15, 2013|archive-date=October 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021114339/http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science-Nutrition/Danisco-emulsifier-to-subsitute-non-GM-soy-lecithin-as-demand-outstrips-supply|url-status=live}}</ref> This concern led to policy and regulatory changes in the [[European Union|EU]] in 2000, when Commission Regulation ([[European Commission|EC]]) 50/2000 was passed<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexapi!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=32000R0050&model=guichett|title=Regulation (EC) 50/2000|website=europa.eu|access-date=2013-01-15|archive-date=2013-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016012459/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexapi!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=32000R0050&model=guichett|url-status=live}}</ref> which required [[Regulation of the release of genetic modified organisms#Labeling and traceability|labelling of food containing additives derived from GMOs]], including lecithin. Because it is nearly impossible to detect the origin of derivatives such as lecithin, the European regulations require those who wish to sell lecithin in [[Europe]] to use a meticulous, but essential system of [[identity preservation]] (IP).<ref name=MarxDissertation /><ref>{{cite journal|first1=John|last1=Davison|first2=Yves|last2=Bertheau|date=2007|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228628711|title=EU regulations on the traceability and detection of GMOs: difficulties in interpretation, implementation, and compliance|journal=CAB Reviews: Perspectives in Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Nutrition and Natural Resources|volume=2|issue=77|page=77|doi=10.1079/PAVSNNR20072077|access-date=2017-11-01|archive-date=2024-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406201024/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228628711_EU_Regulations_on_the_Traceability_and_Detection_of_GMOs_Difficulties_in_Interpretation_Implementation_and_Compliance|url-status=live}}</ref>