Do you know where these seven natural pigments come from

Lycopene

Lycopene, a carotene, is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon with an open chain structure. It forms dark red crystals that resemble needle shapes. Chemically, it consists of a hydrocarbon chain composed of 11 conjugated double bonds and 2 non-conjugated double bonds.

Lycopene is a vital nutrient that is not synthesized by humans or animals on their own. However, it can be obtained through various methods such as plant extraction, chemical synthesis, and microbial fermentation. This natural pigment has excellent health benefits, and it has been proven to help prevent several types of cancer, protect the heart and blood vessels, enhance the immune system, and improve skin health. Due to its exceptional properties, lycopene has a wide range of applications in the production of health supplements, cosmetics, food, and beverages.

β- Carotene

Carrots are packed with β-Carotene, a valuable nutrient that can be converted into vitamin A by our digestive system. Unlike chemical synthetic vitamin A supplements, which can cause toxicity when consumed in excess, carrots offer a natural source of this vital vitamin. By incorporating carrots into your diet, you can support healthy eyes and skin, alleviate night blindness, and promote smoother skin. Additionally, the high antioxidant content in carrots helps protect the body against damage caused by free radicals. It is important to note that carrots should not be consumed simultaneously with acidic substances like vinegar, as it may have adverse effects.

paprika oleoresin 

Capsanthin is a reddish-orange pigment found in certain species of mushrooms and in ripened red peppers. Two of its major components are capsanthin and capsorubin, which make up around 50-60% of the total pigment content. Additionally, there are smaller amounts of yellow carotenoids such as β-carotene and zeaxanthin. Capsanthin is highly valued for its vivid color, strong coloring power and ability to preserve color over time. Not only is it a popular food colorant, but it has also been found to have potential health benefits such as anti-cancer properties. Furthermore, studies have shown that incorporating capsanthin into simulated foods can extend their shelf life and add nutritional value.

Due to its characteristics and purpose, capsanthin has sparked a global surge in research and innovation. It is currently acknowledged as a potential functional natural pigment, signaling a promising future for this valuable compound.

Gardenia Blue 

This blue colorant is commonly used to add vibrant hues to a variety of food products. It finds application in coloring hard sugar, pectin, agar, pudding, marshmallow sugar, biscuits, pine cake, cake prefabrication powder, cream, ice cream, dairy products, vegetables, green beans, canned foods, beverages, and fruit juices. The versatility of this colorant allows it to enhance the visual appeal of a wide range of culinary delights.

Food processing seldom involves direct coloring. Its main application is to mix with natural yellow pigments like gardenia yellow and safflower yellow to create green pigments of varying hues. Compared to chlorophyll extract, the green pigment produced using gardenia blue can be better controlled in terms of color and has excellent resistance against acidic substances. Hence, it can be used in acidic foods and beverages as well. Furthermore, gardenia blue pigment can also be combined with different natural red pigments to create shades of purple. The versatility of gardenia blue pigment makes it highly sought-after in food processing.

At our natural pigment manufacturing facility, we can create a wide range of Gardenia blue pigments with different processing techniques. Each of these techniques results in a unique hue of blue, ranging from a serene sky blue to an enchanting sea blue. We offer varieties of Gardenia blue pigments that are both acid resistant and acid intolerant, making them suitable for application in different environments. Trust us to provide you with high-quality natural pigments for all your coloring needs.

Gardenia blue pigment, a rare natural blue pigment, stands out among synthetic pigments like edible brilliant blue and indigo due to its natural source and excellent compatibility with the human body. Its scarcity in nature makes it a noteworthy natural pigment that deserves widespread promotion.

The cost of using gardenia blue pigment in the food, beverage and cosmetics industry is comparably low as it ranges between 0.005% and 0.01%. This leads to a unit cost of about 0.025-0.05 yuan/kg. However, the cost of synthetic pigment is much cheaper as it virtually costs zero unit cost in food processing. This low cost of synthetic pigments has made it a common ingredient in the food industry leading to the excessive use of synthetic pigments. The excessive use of synthetic pigments in food can be harmful to the health of consumers. As such, the use of gardenia blue pigment has become a more preferred option in the food and cosmetics industries.

chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is a type of green pigment that is found in various organisms including higher plants. It plays a vital role in the process of photosynthesis by capturing light energy and using it to drive reactions that convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Chlorophyll is primarily composed of two types, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b, both of which can be dissolved in certain solvents like ethanol, ether and acetone. However, they are not soluble in water and petroleum ether. To extract chlorophyll from plants, solvents like methanol, ethyl acetate, ethanol and acetone are commonly used. By extracting chlorophyll from plants, scientists can study and utilize this vital pigment for various purposes such as food coloring, medicinal uses and more.