Natural Food Colours

• Appearance
• Fine orange-red powder

• Application
• Food coloring (cheese, dairy, snacks, bakery), cosmetics, pharmaceuticals

• Assay
• Typically 98%

• Boiling point
• Not applicable (decomposes)

• CAS No
• Bixa orellana (pigment form) 1393-63-1

• Color
• Orange-red

• FEMA No
• 2107

• Heavy Metal (%)
• < 0.001%

• Melting Point
• ~200C (decomposes)

• Molecular Formula
• C25H30O4 (for Bixin)

• Other Names
• Bixin, Annatto Extract, Norbixin

• Physical Form
• Powder

• Purity
• Typically 98% min (varies with grade)

• Shelf Life
• Up to 24 months in proper storage

• Smell
• Other, Mild, characteristic odor

• Solid Content
• > 95%

• Solubility Tests
• Soluble in alkali, insoluble in cold water

• Storage
• Other, Store in a cool, dry place, protected from light

• Structural Formula
• C25H30O4 (Bixin)

• Taste
• Other , Neutral to slightly earthy

• Type
• Other, Natural food colorant

• Water Solubility
• Mostly insoluble; norbixin forms are water soluble

• Appearance
• Fine powder

• Application
• Food coloring, beverage, cosmetic, pharmaceutical

• Assay
• >25% Anthocyanins (by HPLC)

• CAS No
• 528-58-5

• Color
• Purple/Deep Pink

• Heavy Metal (%)
• <0.001%

• Melting Point
• 194-196C (decomposes)

• Molecular Formula
• C15H11O6+

• Other Names
• Anthocyanin Pigment, Natural Colorant, Plant Pigment

• Physical Form
• Powder

• Purity
• >98%

• Shelf Life
• 2 years

• Smell
• Other, Odorless

• Solid Content
• >98%

• Solubility Tests
• Soluble in water, ethanol; sparingly soluble in chloroform

• Storage
• Other, Cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight

• Structural Formula
• Refer to Anthocyanin molecular structure

• Taste
• Other , Slight, characteristic

• Type
• Other, Natural food colorant

• Water Solubility
• Soluble

• Appearance
• Fine Powder

• Application
• Food coloring, beverages, pharmaceuticals, confectionery, dairy products

• Assay
• NLT 95%

• CAS No
• 162000-40-0

• Color
• Deep Red to Violet

• Heavy Metal (%)
• <0.001% (10 ppm maximum)

• Melting Point
• Not Applicable (Decomposes)

• Molecular Formula
• C24H26N2O13 (for Betanin)

• Other Names
• Beet Red, Betanin, Natural Red 16

• Physical Form
• Powder

• Purity
• 99%

• Shelf Life
• 12 months

• Smell
• Other, Characteristic earthy odor

• Solid Content
• NLT 95%

• Solubility Tests
• Easily soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol

• Storage
• Other, Store in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight

• Structural Formula
• C24H26N2O13

• Taste
• Other , Characteristic mild, sweet

• Type
• Other, Natural Food Color

• Water Solubility
• Soluble

• Appearance
• Fine powder

• Application
• Used as a food colorant, in pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and cosmetics

• Assay
• 98.0% min

• Boiling point
• N/A (decomposes)

• CAS No
• 7235-40-7

• Color
• Orange yellow to yellow

• Heavy Metal (%)
• 10 ppm

• Melting Point
• 176-180C

• Molecular Formula
• C40H56

• Other Names
• Pro-Vitamin A, beta-Carotene, E160a

• Physical Form
• Powder

• Purity
• 98% Min

• Shelf Life
• 24 months

• Smell
• Other, Odorless or slight characteristic odor

• Solid Content
• Not less than 98%

• Solubility Tests
• Soluble in ether, chloroform, fats, and oils

• Storage
• Other, Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight

• Structural Formula
• C40H56 (see structure: polyene chain with two beta rings at each end)

• Taste
• Other , Tasteless or slight characteristic taste

• Type
• Other, Color additive, natural pigment

• Water Solubility
• Insoluble in water

• Appearance
• Fine powder

• Application
• Used as coloring agent in beverages, food, bakery, confectionery, pharmaceuticals

• Assay
• Conforms to standard specifications

• CAS No
• 8028-89-5

• Color
• Dark brown

• FEMA No
• No. 2555

• Heavy Metal (%)
• 0.001%

• Melting Point
• Decomposes before melting

• Molecular Formula
• C18H9O9

• Other Names
• E150, Burnt Sugar

• Physical Form
• Powder

• Purity
• 99%

• Shelf Life
• 24 months

• Smell
• Other, Slight caramel odor

• Solid Content
• 98%

• Solubility Tests
• Soluble in water, insoluble in organic solvents

• Storage
• Other, Store in a cool, dry place; keep container tightly closed

• Structural Formula
• Complex polymeric carbohydrate structure

• Taste
• Other , Caramel-like, slightly bitter

• Type
• Other, Colorant

• Water Solubility
• Freely soluble

• Appearance
• Liquid

• Application
• Used in soft drinks, sauces, bakery, spirits, and confectionery

• Assay
• Not less than 99%

• Boiling point
• Approximately 100-110C

• CAS No
• 8028-89-5

• Color
• Dark brown to black liquid

• FEMA No
• No. 3025

• Heavy Metal (%)
• <10 ppm

• Melting Point
• Not applicable (liquid state)

• Molecular Formula
• C18H9O9

• Other Names
• Burnt Sugar, E150

• Physical Form
• Liquid

• Purity
• Typically 99%

• Shelf Life
• 24 months from manufacturing date

• Smell
• Other, Characteristic, mild burnt sugar odor

• Solid Content
• 45-55%

• Solubility Tests
• Soluble in water

• Storage
• Other, Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight

• Structural Formula
• Not applicable (complex mixture)

• Taste
• Other , Slightly bitter, burnt sugar flavor

• Type
• Other, Food colorant

• Vapor Density
• Not determined

• Water Solubility
• Completely soluble

• Appearance
• Fine, free-flowing powder

• Application
• Food coloring, flavoring agent, snack seasoning, meat processing

• Assay
• Capsaicin content 0.1%-1.5% (varies)

• Boiling point
• 210C (decomposes)

• CAS No
• 465-42-9

• Color
• Bright red to orange-red

• Heavy Metal (%)
• <10 ppm

• Melting Point
• 65-77C (for capsaicin)

• Molecular Formula
• Variable - major component C18H27NO3 (capsaicin)

• Other Names
• Capsicum annuum powder, Paprika oleoresin

• Physical Form
• Powder

• Purity
• Natural, varies by extraction method

• Shelf Life
• 12-24 months

• Smell
• Other, Characteristic paprika aroma

• Solid Content
• 95%

• Solubility Tests
• Soluble in oil and alcohol, insoluble in water

• Storage
• Other, Cool, dry place away from sunlight

• Structural Formula
• Variable, main pigment is capsanthin/capsorubin

• Taste
• Other , Mild to pungent

• Type
• Other, Natural food colorant, spice

• Vapor Density
• Not applicable (solid powder)

• Water Solubility
• Insoluble

• Appearance
• Fine Powder

• Application
• Food coloring, culinary spice, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, dyes

• Assay
• Curcumin content 2-5%

• Boiling point
• Not Applicable (decomposes upon heating)

• CAS No
• 458-37-7

• Color
• Yellow to Orange

• Heavy Metal (%)
• <0.01%

• Melting Point
• 183C

• Molecular Formula
• C21H20O6 (Curcumin)

• Other Names
• Haldi Powder, Curcuma longa Powder

• Physical Form
• Powder

• Purity
• 95-99% (varies with source and grade)

• Shelf Life
• 18-24 months if properly stored

• Smell
• Other, Characteristic earthy, spicy aroma

• Solid Content
• >98%

• Solubility Tests
• Disperses well in ethanol and oils, poor in water

• Storage
• Other, Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight

• Structural Formula
• (Image, see source or chemical literature)

• Taste
• Other , Warm, bitter, pepper-like

• Type
• Other, Natural Food Colorant & Spice

• Water Solubility
• Insoluble in water, soluble in ethanol and oils