L-cysteine

About

L-cysteine is the food additive E 920 of the EU Union list of food additives, a sulphur-containing amino acid used as a flour treatment agent.^[1] Its thiol group cuts the disulphide bridges that hold gluten together, which relaxes the dough, shortens mixing and proving time and makes it easier to sheet and roll - the reason a machine-rolled product such as a canned cinnamon roll uses it. Labels commonly declare the hydrochloride salt and name the job rather than the substance: Pillsbury Grands! cinnamon rolls print "Dough Conditioner (L-cysteine hydrochloride)".^[2] It may be made by fermentation or extracted from keratin, so whether a given batch is vegetarian depends on its source.

Products (4)

ProductCategoryBarcode

Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls with Original Icing 17.5 oz Pillsbury · 496 g Baking/Cooking Supplies (Perishable) 018000001590 Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls with Strawberry and Cream Flavored Icing 17.5 oz Pillsbury · 17.5 oz Baking/Cooking Supplies (Perishable) 018000000173 Totino's Pepperoni and Bacon Pizza Rolls 19.8 oz Totino's · 19.8 oz Pies/Pastries/Pizzas/Quiches - Savoury (Frozen) 042800417527 Totino's Pepperoni and Bacon Pizza Rolls 24.8 oz Totino's · 24.8 oz Pies/Pastries/Pizzas/Quiches - Savoury (Frozen) 042800109545

Also known as

• E920

References

1. ↑ Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II Part B: Union list of food additives (version of 2020-12-31) legislation.gov.uk. registry. Accessed 2026-09-17.
2. ↑ Pillsbury Grands! Cinnamon Rolls with Original Icing (5 count) General Mills. manufacturer. Accessed 2026-09-17. Product Description, Prep Instructions, Ingredients, Product Allergens, Nutrition Facts.