Natural Colorants, Nutritional Fortifier, Antioxidant ----- β -carotene
Introduction to β -carotene
β -carotene (C40H56) is one of the carotenoids, which is a kind of orange fat-soluble compound. It is the most ubiquitous and stable natural pigment in nature. A member of a family of natural chemicals such as carotenoids or carotenoids. It is abundant in plants, giving fruits and vegetables their rich yellow and orange hues. Pure appearance for red purple to dark red crystalline powder, slightly special odor.
The dilute solution of β -carotene is orange, soluble in dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon disulfide and other organic solvents. Solution concentration increases with orange, because of the polarity of the solvent can be slightly red. Unstable in response to oxygen, heat and light. Stable in a weak base.
β -carotene is widely used in food industry, feed industry, medicine and cosmetics industry. At present, the methods used to obtain β -carotene include natural extraction, chemical synthesis and microbial fermentation.
Basic Information
English name: beta-carotene
Chemical formula: C40H56
Molecular weight: 536.88
CAS login Number: 7235-40-7
EINECS Login number: 230-636-6
Melting point: 176 to 179 ℃
Boiling point: 654.7 ℃
Water soluble: insoluble in water tight
Application field
Beta-carotene, whose name comes from the Latin word for carrot, is an orange-yellow fat-soluble compound that is A precursor to vitamin A and is found in abundance in plants, giving fruits and vegetables their rich color. Beta-carotene is widely used in common foods and healthcare products due to its colouring, antioxidant and nutrition-enhancing properties.
As A food additive and nutritional fortifier, β -carotene has been recommended by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives of THE United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) as A class A excellent nutritional pigment, and has been approved for application in 52 countries and regions around the world.
Application direction
colorant
First of all, β -carotene has good coloring performance, coloring range is yellow, orange red, strong coloring power, color and luster is stable and uniform, can coexist with K, Zn, Ca and other elements without discoloration, especially suitable for children's food compatibility. It can also be used for sugar coating of tablets, and its color and stability are better than lemon yellow and carmine double color coating. Domestic β -carotene has been listed in the national standard of the People's Republic of China as a colorant (hygienic standard for the use of food additives GB-2760-96). β -carotene is used in common foods either by synthesis or fermentation.
As a edible oil soluble pigment, β -carotene itself can cover all colors from red to yellow due to the difference in concentration, so it has attracted the attention of the food industry. It is very suitable for the development of oily products and protein products, as edible orange pigment and nutritional enhancer, such as margarine, capsule, fish pulp refining products, vegetarian products, instant noodles and so on. Microencapsulated beta-carotene can be converted into a water-soluble pigment that can be used in almost all foods.
As a food additive, the synthetic β -carotene has been listed in the National Food Safety Standard Food Additive Use Standard (GB 2760), and is used in various kinds of food as a colorant to give food color.
In GB 2760, synthetic β -carotene can be used to make milk (1g/kg maximum dosage, The same below), flavor fermented milk (1g/kg), cheese similar products (1G /kg), fat dessert (1g/kg), canned fruit (1g/kg), jam (1g/kg), preserved fruit (1g/kg), dried vegetables (0.2g/kg), pickled vegetables (0.132g/kg), candy (0.5g/kg), Convenient rice and noodle products (1g/kg), cooked meat products (0.02g/kg) and other food categories. According to the most recent revision of GB 2760, the use of beta-carotene was extended to prepared meat products (raw meat with conditioning ingredients) (Food class 08.02.01).
Nutrient fortifier
β -carotene, as a nutrient fortifier, is widely used in health food.
Like other carotenoids, beta-carotene is an antioxidant. Eating foods rich in beta-carotene protects the body from damaging molecules called free radicals, which can damage cells through a process called oxidation.
Meanwhile, beta-carotene is converted by the body into vitamin A when needed. Vitamin A can be toxic if consumed in excess. Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A when the body needs it, which makes it A safe source of vitamin A.
antioxidants
Moreover, β -carotene is an excellent antioxidant, and it has synergistic effect with vitamin E and vitamin C. Their combination is called the "iron triangle" of antioxidants, which has a strong antioxidant effect. Add β -carotene in lipstick, rouge and other cosmetics, can make its color natural plump, and can nourish the skin, protect the skin.
The main value
β -carotene, a tetraterpenoid compound, has high pharmacological and nutritive value, and has been widely used in medicine, health care products, food additives and cosmetics. Used as food additives, nutritional fortifier and pharmaceutical preparations.
Contact person:Bella Zhang 13237979303
2021 12/30