Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (sodium stearoyl lactylate or SSL) is a versatile, FDA approved food additive used to improve the mix tolerance and volume of processed foods. It is one type of a commercially available lactylate. SSL is non-toxic,[4][5] biodegradable,[6] and typically manufactured using biorenewable feedstocks.[7][8] Because SSL is a safe and highly effective food additive, it is used in a wide variety of products ranging from baked goods and desserts to pet foods.[2][9][10][11][12]
As described by the Food Chemicals Codex 7th edition, SSL is a cream-colored powder or brittle solid.[1] SSL is currently manufactured by the esterification of stearic acid with lactic acid and partially neutralized with either food-grade soda ash (sodium carbonate) or caustic soda (concentrated sodium hydroxide). Commercial grade SSL is a mixture of sodium salts of stearoyl lactylic acids and minor proportions of other sodium salts of related acids. The HLB for SSL is 10-12. SSL is slightly hygroscopic, soluble in ethanol and in hot oil or fat, and dispersible in warm water.[2] These properties are the reason that SSL is an excellent emulsifier for fat-in-water emulsions[13] and can also function as a humectant.