Colouring In

Beta-carotene provides healthy potential in food colouring.

Beta-carotene, nature’s most abundant carotenoid, is probably best known for the orange colour it gives to carrots. Generally carotenoids are found in fruits and vegetables where they are responsible for the yellow-red colours. Although it theoretically could be extracted from carrots, most commercially available beta-carotene is manufactured synthetically – but the material is still nature-identical. The synthetic process provides great control of all the ingredients that eventually make up the beta-carotene crystals, and thereby eliminates potential contaminants. Besides, the end product is pure beta-carotene, and not a mixture of different carotenoids. These factors are important reasons why minimal batch variations are encountered, which ensure the same colour shade over and over again.

Benefits
27/01/05 Beta-carotene is widely used in the food industry, where it provides appetising yellow-orange colours to beverages, margarines, cheeses, cake fillings, custards, yoghurts etc. Besides, a vitamin A claim can be made to these products, since beta-carotene is also known as pro-vitamin A. This positive attribute of beta-carotene, combined with stable production-friendly formulations, makes this ingredient the perfect choice of colourant.
Beta-carotene is also known to be a powerful physiological antioxidant. Numerous studies have shown its beneficial effects in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancer forms.

Formulations and Applications
Beta-carotene crystals are difficult to handle for the food manufacturer due to their instable nature. This is why beta-carotene manufacturers have developed convenient, stable, and BSE/GMO-free delivery forms that address the market needs:
Suspensions consist of Beta-carotene crystals diluted and suspended in vegetable oils. They are added to products with a fat phase i.e. margarines, popcorn oils, and dressings.
Powders are made of spray dried beta-carotene emulsions, which are soluble in cold water. Their main usages are beverages, cake mixes, custards, yoghurts, nutrition bars, and instant drink mixes.
Finally, high potency emulsions are beta-carotene emulsified in oil and water, which are readily miscible with water. These products were originally developed for beverage manufacturers who preferred beta-carotene on liquid form rather than powders.
However, the emulsions have since found their usage in other water-based products like yoghurts and custards as well.

Compared to Artificial Colours
Despite the obvious benefits of beta-carotene, it is still to a certain degree competing against artificial colours i.e. sunset yellow and tartrazine. One of the arguments for these products has been their relative low cost. However, in order to make a fair comparison, it is important to note that studies have shown that beta-carotene can easily match these colours at concentrations 5-6 times less.
More importantly, where beta-carotene has a healthy and positive image, the artificial colours provides no added benefits, and they are associated with increasing health concerns1, 2. Some of them have even been banned in certain countries.
Therefore, food manufactures that are either, a) introducing a new product line or b) looking for a long-term healthy colourant or c) looking to revamp their existing product line with a healthier image, should look for beta-carotene as their ingredient of choice.

Outlook
The European beta-carotene market is estimated at about $140 million, and is conservatively predicted a relative slow but steady growth rate of 2%. Furthermore the introduction of new carotenoids like lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and more to follow, increases the overall awareness of this highly interesting group of healthy ingredients.

References
1 Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, 9(4):225-243, 1994
2 The Food Magazine, 25th October 2002
For more information: Allied Biotech
Europe GmbH
Tel: +49 721 791 8940, Fax: +49 721 791 9930
www.altratene.com

This feature is provided by Food Ingredients First’s sister website, Nutrition Insight.

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