What are the natural pigments
Nov 28, 2020
Natural edible pigment refers to the pigment that comes directly from plant tissue. Except for gamboge, which is highly toxic, it is generally harmless to human health. The natural edible pigments that are allowed to be used in China and have national standards are Curcumin, shellac pigment, Safflor, sodium copper chlorophyllin, capsanthin, soy sauce, Monascus rice, and β - carotene.
1. Curcumin: is a perennial herb, known as gold or Curcuma, the yellow pigment contained in the rhizome is the main component. Pure curcumin is a yellow crystalline powder. It is especially suitable for protein coloring.
2. Lac pigment: Lac pigment is a pigment component in the original gum secreted by lac insects on its parasitic plants. Shellac pigment can be divided into two categories: soluble in water and insoluble in water. Water soluble cordycepin acid. In acid, it is stable to light and heat. The hue varies with acid reduction.
3. Safflower yellow pigment: it is a kind of yellow pigment in Safflower Pigment. Soluble in water and ethanol, insoluble in oil.
4. Sodium copper chlorophyllin: blue-black powder with a golden luster, amine-like taste, soluble in water, water solution is blue-green, light resistance is stronger than chlorophyll.
5. Monascus rice: is one of the natural red pigments used in China. The production method is to inoculate Monascus purpureus on rice. It is mainly used for dyeing fork roast meat, red enema, red Sufu, and some wine.
6. Soy sauce color: Caramel, is one of the traditional natural pigments used in China, which is brown or dark brown liquid. Liquid caramel is prepared by heating sucrose or maltose syrup at 160-180 ℃ for 3 hours, then neutralizing with alkali. To accelerate the reaction, ammonium salt is sometimes added as a catalyst. Caramel itself is non-toxic, but the caramel produced by adding ammonium salt contains a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound, 4-methylimidazole, which can induce convulsion. If the content is high, it will be harmful to people.
7. Carotene: for human food in the normal ingredients, is one of the nutrients people need, and can be used as the cream colorant.
8. Capsanthin and beet red: red pigment extracted from the roots of capsicum and beet respectively. The former is a kind of carotene, but radish a. It is non-toxic to humans and is used in canned food.
