Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone

Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone (NHDC) is a semi-synthetic sweetener derived from neohesperidin, a flavonoid found in bitter orange peel. Registered as E959 in the EU and known under trade names including Citrosa and FEMA 3811, it delivers sweetness approximately 1,000 times greater than sucrose at threshold concentrations.

In food and beverage formulations, NHDC functions as a high-intensity sweetener and flavour modifier, suppressing bitterness and enhancing mouthfeel at concentrations as low as 5–10 ppm. In personal care applications, it acts as a humectant and antioxidant, binding moisture within the skin matrix while inhibiting oxidative degradation of formulation components.

NHDC is commercially available as a white to off-white crystalline powder in food-grade and cosmetic-grade specifications, compliant with EU E959 purity criteria and FCC standards. It falls under REACH regulation and is classified under HS code 29389090. Packaging typically ranges from 1 kg laboratory quantities to 25 kg fibre drums.