Food Colorants Research Articles

Recent microencapsulation trends for enhancing the stability and functionality of anthocyanins: a review.

Anthocyanins (ACNs) are water-soluble pigments in various fruits and vegetables known for their high antioxidant activity. They are used as natural food colorants and preservatives and have several medicinal benefits. However, their application in functional foods and nutraceuticals is often compromised by their low stability to heat, oxygen, enzymes, light, pH changes, and solubility issues. Spray drying has emerged as an effective microencapsulation technique to enhance the shelf life, quality, and stability of ACNs. This manuscript reviews the latest scientific developments in spray drying microencapsulation of ACNs-rich fruit extracts. Process optimization and the stability and physicochemical properties of the spray-dried, microencapsulated ACNs-rich powders are discussed. This review also covers functional food and nutraceutical applications and introduces novel encapsulation methods, such as freeze-drying, supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2), coacervation, drum drying, and electrospraying, highlighting their potential in improving the utility of ACNs-rich fruit extracts.

Comparative bioactivity assessment of bixin pigment and associated phytochemicals extracted from annatto seeds using conventional and green solvents.

Nutraceuticals, that include food ingredients and bioactives from natural products, confer physiological health benefits and protection against chronic diseases. Annatto is a tropical shrub grown in Central and South America and parts of India. Its seeds are rich in the edible carotenoid-derived apocarotenoid pigment, bixin, which is used as a natural colorant in food, textiles, and cosmetics, and is now gaining attention for its potential health-promoting attributes. Here, we compared a green solvent (ethyl lactate) based extraction of bixin and associated metabolites in annatto seeds (crushed and seed coat) with two other conventional solvents (acetone and acid-base). Bixin was characterized in the extracts using UV-visible- and FTIR-spectroscopy and thin-layer chromatography. The bixin-containing solvent extracts were then profiled for other co-existing metabolites using GC-MS analysis, which were found to be sesquiterpenes, terpenes, terpenoids, phytosterols, and tocotrienols. Their bioactivity was evaluated based on antioxidant and wound-healing efficacies and compared with pure bixin, using NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells in-vitro. Pure bixin, as well as the annatto solvent extracts, showed strong antioxidant and wound healing properties, wherein pure bixin and green solvent extract (ethyl lactate coat) exhibited higher levels of antioxidant activity, achieving 46.00% and 44.60% reduction in MDA levels, respectively, as well as enhanced wound-healing activity, with 54.09% and 53.60% wound closure within 24 h. The green solvent extracts of annatto seeds revealed: (a) differential bioactive profiles in annatto seeds (crushed and seed coat) in comparison with other solvents, and (b) strong antioxidant and wound healing properties. Thus, ethyl lactate extraction shows strong potential for sustainable environmental friendly production of functional foods/nutraceuticals from annatto seeds.

Optimization of frying time and temperature for the development of quality chips from varieties of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.Lam)

Consumers seek low-fat fried products with appealing color, texture, and taste to avoid health issues like obesity and cardiovascular disease associated with high-oil-content foods. Frying conditions, including time and temperature, greatly affect the moisture, texture, oil content, and color of fried foods. The objective of this study was to optimize frying time and temperature to obtain quality fried chips from three varieties of orangefleshed sweet potato roots. The study examined how frying temperature (ranging from 140 to 180°C) and time (2 to 6 mins) affect the quality of fried chips, assessing attributes like moisture content, oil content, color, and texture. Significant impacts of frying time and temperature on chip quality were found across all varieties using central composite design tests and mathematical models (p<0.05). Optimal frying conditions were determined through response surface methodology analysis, which was 154.8℃ for 3.82 mins, 160.1℃ for 3.66 mins, and 162.65℃ for 3.04 mins for Kabode, Dilla, and Kulfo varieties, respectively, guiding sweet potato fried chip producers to achieve satisfactory results economically and efficiently.

The potential therapeutic value of terpenes

Terpenes form part of a huge and diverse class of naturally occurring and volatile secondary metabolites produced by many plants, fruits, animals, insects, and other organisms. They are the largest group of naturally occurring metabolites, with over 55,000 types of terpenes produced by plants alone, primarily as essential oils. In humans, they contain significant biological properties such as antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antihyperglycemic, anti-cancer, and analgesic agents. In plants, terpenes also play significant roles in defensive mechanisms against herbivores and invasive plants, disease resistance, chemical signaling and communication between plants, protection against photo-oxidation, plant-environment mediation, thermo-protection, and the attraction of pollinators. In addition, terpenes are responsible for a plant’s scent, taste, flavor, and pigmentation, leading to their commercial use as fragrances and food dyes. Terpenes are also used in the production of synthetic polymers, natural rubbers (polyisoprene), organic solvents, varnishes, inks, adhesives, cleaning products, biofuels, pesticides, and food and drink products. For these reasons, terpenes have significant value in modern medicine, pharmacy, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and other industries.

Stability of Phenolic Compounds Present in Aqueous Jambolan Extract Microencapsulated by Spray Drying and Application as a Natural Food Coloring

Stability of Phenolic Compounds Present in Aqueous Jambolan Extract Microencapsulated by Spray Drying and Application as a Natural Food Coloring

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) by-products as a source of bioactive compounds for non-communicable disease prevention: extraction methods and mechanisms of action: a systematic review.

The review titled Passion fruit by-products as a source of bioactive compounds for non-communicable disease prevention: extraction methods and mechanisms provide valuable insights into the health benefits and industrial applications of passion fruit waste. Passion fruits are a tropical and subtropical vine species, which produces edible fruits. Many food product types can be made from passion fruits. However, during passion fruit processing, large amounts of waste are released in to the environment. This review focuses on extraction methods of bioactive compounds from passion fruit by-products such as leaves, peels, seeds, and bagasse. This comprehensive review focuses on the bioactive compounds present in passion fruit by-products, emphasis on their mechanisms of action on non-communicable diseases. It also provides a detailed analysis of the extraction methods used to obtain these bioactive compounds, their potential industrial applications, and the factors that affect extraction efficiency. This review encourages further research and innovation in utilization of passion fruit waste as a source of bioactive compounds for non- communicable disease prevention and their mechanisms of action. This can advance the circular economy. It also highlights the importance of sustainable and green extraction methods, which have gained attention due to environmental concerns. Unlike previous reviews, this comprehensive article explores the potential health benefits of multiple passion fruit waste products. It also examines the possible applications of these extracts for industrial goods such as food additives, colorants, nutraceuticals, natural antioxidants, and antimicrobial agents. Overall, it contributes new information emphasizing the potential of passion fruit by-products as a source of bioactive, and the findings have implications for the scientific community and industry, promoting a deeper understanding of the health benefits and sustainable practices associated with passion fruit waste utilization.

Efficient removal of Sunset yellow food dye from aqueous environment using bimetal-organic frameworks encapsulated with chitosan: Synthesis, characterization, adsorption analysis, and optimization

In this work, the adsorbent Sunset yellow (SSY) dye, a hazardous food colorant, was to be removed from aqueous solutions using lanthanum/silver bimetal-organic frameworks (La/Ag-MOF) encapsulated onto chitosan (La/Ag-MOF@CS). According to the findings, La/Ag-MOF@CS is a successful adsorbent for removing SSY dye from water. Numerous tests, such as FT-IR, PXRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, and BET analysis, studies of the material’s characteristics were carried out. A substantial pore volume of 1.683 cm3/g and a high surface area of 842 m2/g were found in the data, suggesting the possibility of a high adsorption capacity. The study of surface charge showed that a positive charge below the point of zero charge (pH 6) and a negative charge above it had an impact on the adsorption behavior. The maximal SSY dye adsorption onto La/Ag-MOF@CS was found to reach 443.53 mg.g−1. Pseudo-second-order kinetic models were used to clarify the reaction’s kinetics, and the Langmuir isotherm model, demonstrated a chemisorption process. The adsorption process utilizing the adsorbent La/Ag-MOF@CS is anticipated to have endothermic and spontaneous nature. The synthetic La/Ag-MOF@CS adsorbent showed exceptional flexibility and cyclability, successfully completing up to eight adsorption–desorption cycles. In order to maximize the adsorption results, the Box-Behnken Design was utilized, demonstrating how La/Ag-MOF@CS may be applied to address real-world wastewater treatment challenges in a sustainable and useful way.

A Bifunctional Novel Bipyridine Bridged Dicobaloxime Complex for Electrochemical Proton Reduction and Toxic Metanil Yellow Dye Detection

AbstractA new bipyridine bridged dicobaloxime complex BrCo(dpgh)2(4,4’‐bipyridine)Co(dpgH)2Br was synthesized and characterized by standard spectroscopic techniques. The synthesized complex was employed as an electrocatalyst for the proton reduction in the presence of acetic acid as an acid source. The catalytic efficiency was calculated to be 0.379. Subsequently the nanocomposite of the complex was prepared with g‐C3N4 nanosheet by hydrothermal method and the composite material was characterized by standard physical characterization techniques. When the nanocomposite was employed as a catalyst for electrochemical sensing of toxic food color Metanil yellow dye using gold electrode, the LOD value was found to be 0.09 nM. These studies show that the dicobaloxime acts as a bifunctional catalyst towards electrochemical proton reduction and for the detection of Metanil yellow dye.

Drying effects on physicochemical and functional properties of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) ink powder

This study investigated the physicochemical, functional, and organoleptic properties of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) ink powder prepared by freeze drying and hot air tray drying. Key proximate and physicochemical properties were measured to assess differences due to drying method. In addition, organoleptic tests were conducted on cuttlefish ink powder incorporated into spaghetti sauce. Freeze-dried powders had slightly higher moisture (9.86 %) than tray-dried powders (7.65 %) and more ash (15.04 versus 13.19 %). Both samples had ∼43 % protein, a light-brown to black color and a pH of 5.5–5.6 when rehydrated. There were no differences in loose or tapped density and Hausner ratios of 1.30–1.35 suggest the powders had ‘passable’ flow. Overall protein solubility varied with pH and freeze-dried materials generally had greater solubility. FT-IR showed no differences in peaks derived from organic components. FE-SEM showed both samples had spherical granules that formed 100–200 nm clusters; however, the surface texture of tray-dried powders was rougher than the freeze-dried samples. Consumer tests showed higher overall likability for spaghetti sauce with fresh ink compared to dried ink powders. Differences were attributed more to texture than to flavor or appearance. Cuttlefish ink can be utilized in the food industry, particularly as a natural flavor, food coloring or additive.

A critical evaluation of contents, labeling, and cost of hand sanitizers marketed in India during COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Background: Antiseptics were introduced a long time ago, but their significance was noteworthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hand sanitizer plays a pivotal role as a preventive measure. Multiple national authorities have advocated for the application of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers (ABHS). During the pandemic, a surge in demand and limited supply prompted numerous manufacturers to ramp up production. Consequently, it is imperative to scrutinize the composition, labeling, and price of hand sanitizers. Aims and Objective: To assess the contents, labeling, and price of hand sanitizers available in the Indian market. Methodology: Hand sanitizers, both online and offline, marketed in India between May 2019 and May 2022 were included. Hand sanitizers by local manufacturers without labeling were excluded. Contents and labeling of hand sanitizers were evaluated as per World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Price was assessed as a percentage cost variation. Result: Out of 79, the majority (98.73%) were ABHS, and 28.20% of them met the recommended criteria for “Adequate” alcohol concentration. Ethyl alcohol emerged as the most prevalent (69.23%), often accompanied by emollients, humectants, fragrances, and color additives. Notably, 69.62% of the hand sanitizers featured comprehensive labeling, while incomplete labels lacked essential details under “Warning and Cautions.” The average price of hand sanitizers was Rs 505.11 ± 255.36. Conclusion: Choosing ABHS with appropriate alcohol concentrations in line with recommendations is crucial. To ensure the proper and safe use of hand sanitizers, individuals should follow the instructions provided on the product labels; both manufacturers and regulators are responsible for adhering to standards for hand sanitizers made available to the public.

Purification and components identification of ‘Ziyan’ anthocyanins

The new tea cultivar ‘Ziyan’ has high anthocyanin content. To explore its potential, the anthocyanin components were separated and prepared using the purple leaves of ‘Ziyan’ as raw materials. A deep eutectic solvent system was prepared for efficient extraction, replacing traditional solvents and achieving higher anthocyanin yield. The extraction parameters were optimized using response surface test and the yield of ‘Ziyan’ anthocyanin reached 5.06 ± 0.04 mg/g (dry weight) at a temperature of 65 °C, solvent moisture content of 29 %, solid-liquid ratio of 1:25 mg/mL and time of 39 min. The DM301 resin was preferred to recover anthocyanins from deep eutectic solvents, resulting in anthocyanin powder with a purity of 6.02 % and a color value of 29.1. It means ‘Ziyan’ anthocyanin has the potential to be developed as a food colorant. The enriched anthocyanins were analyzed using High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detection-Electrospray Tandem-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS), identifying 16 anthocyanin derivatives, including 5 acylated components. Petunidin and malvidin were found for the first time in ‘Ziyan’ tea cultivar. This study provided an important basis for the development of ‘Ziyan’ anthocyanins as a natural food and nutraceutical pigment.

Morphological Diversity of Double Petal Telang (Clitoria ternatea L.) in Several Flower Colors

Telang is a plant that grows wild and is cultivated by the people of Indonesia. Telang flowers originate from Ternate Island, Maluku, Indonesia. The most widely used part of Telang, especially in food coloring, is the flower, where Telang flowers can produce a blue color. This study aims to assess the diversity of four types of double-petal Telang flowers based on plant morphology. This study used a Non-Factorial Randomized Group Design (RAK) with treatments in 4 colors of double-petal Telang flowers. The number of replications required was 5 replications, so there were 20 experimental blocks, each experimental block was planted with 3 plants, the number of samples taken from each experimental block was 2 plants and 3 flower samples were taken from each plant. Morphological observations were made directly in the field; the morphological characters observed included varieties and generative. For each color 10 plants were selected. The results of this study show that some types of Telang showed good growth, such as plant height, and then, for the generative period, no significant difference was produced between the types of Telang. Some of the morphology of leaves and flowers have visible similarities. This study's conclusion is based on observing vegetative, generative, and morphological characters of several types of Telang. The observations found that in the vegetative period, some Telang tended to grow fast, but the purple and blue Telang had the highest plant height. Then, in the generative period, the average observation of several types of Telang was not significantly different. The morphology of Telang itself also still has similarities, such as leaf morphology and Telang flowers.

Comparison of the effect of Sunset yellow on the stomach and small intestine of developmental period of mice

Sunset Yellow (SY), a synthetic food dye, is widely used in the food industry worldwide. The acceptable daily dosage for SY is 2.5 mg/kg/bw in humans. If SY is consumed in overdosage, it may cause histopathological effects in several organs. Studies in the literature about the effects of SY on growth and development in mammals are contradictory, and there are not enough of them. The investigation aims to determine SY's effects on the stomach and small intestine in different age groups of mice using histological methods. Control and treatment groups were created via mice aged 4, 8, and 10 weeks (n = 6). SY was administered by gavage at a level of 30 mg/kg/bw for 28 days to treatment groups. On the last day of the study, the mice were weighed and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Stomach and small intestine tissues were removed from mice and transferred to 10 % formaldehyde. After passing through alcohol and xylene series and staining with Hematoxylin-Eosin, the tissues were evaluated under light and electron microscopy. The mean body weight (p = 0.01), mean stomach weight (p = 0.03), and mean small intestine weight were increased (p = 0.02) in treatment groups. In these groups, ruptures, fractures, and hemorrhage were detected in the small intestine tissue. In the stomach tissue, necrotic areas and hemorrhage were detected among the epithelial cells. The degenerations were more advanced in the weaning group. SY may be more harmful during weaning and puberty, but additional long-term studies are needed on the subject.

Food Management Study At Muhammadiyah Hospital Ahmad Dahlan Kediri City

Food service can be interpreted as an integrated system activity, related to one another. The purpose of this study was to find out an overview the management of food service in Muhammadiyah Ahmad Dahlan Hospital, Kediri City.The research design used is a qualitative method. The location of the research was carried out at Muhammadiyah Ahmad Dahlan Hospital, Kediri City. Sources of data using the interview method. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. The univariate variable of this research is the study of food management in Muhammadiyah Ahmad Ahmad Hospital, Kediri City. This research was conducted on August 12, 2021. Data processing includes data reduction, data presentation, and data verification. The results of this study were analyzed using a qualitative approach with triangulation techniques.The results showed that most of the management of food service in Muhammadiyah Ahmad Dahlan Hospital, Kediri City, was in accordance with the standards. It should be noted that the distribution process is related to patients who are positive for the corona virus. In this case for food distribution, pay more attention to the portion, color, and taste of food.

Biological activity of the Clitoria ternatea flower aqueous extract planted in Binh Duong province, Vietnam

Clitoria ternatea L. is commonly called the blue pea flower, an herbaceous plant that is used for traditional medicine, natural food colorants and beverages thanks to its antioxidant properties and the consequent health benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the bioactivity and safety of Clitoria ternatea flower (CTF) aqueous extracts. In this study, we evaluated the biological activity of CTF aqueous extracts at concentrations from 20 to 120 µg/mL through the test of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ACE inhibition, antibacterial activity and cell viability assay to test for HEK.293 nephrotoxicity. The results indicated that CTF aqueous extract exhibited the highest antioxidant activity and ACE inhibitor activity at the concentration of 120 µg/mL. Besides, the antibacterial activity of the aqueous extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus sp. at 80 µg/ mL concentration was similar to that of 120 µg/mL. The aqueous extract at 120 µg/mL did not exhibit cytotoxic effects on HEK.293 cells. The results of this study suggested that CTF can be used as a natural beverage, a kind of tea to improve human health.

Anthocyanins as Natural Food Colorings: The Chemistry Behind and Challenges Still Ahead.

Anthocyanins are polyphenolic O-glycosides widely responsible for the bright red, purple, and blue colors in the plant kingdom, including a great variety of fruits and vegetables. Hence, they have attracted considerable scientific and industrial interest as potential natural food colorings. However, individual anthocyanins are intrinsically reactive molecules combining electrophilic, nucleophilic, and electron-donating properties. This reactivity may be not only a source of color diversity with, for instance, the formation of new pigments upon winemaking and storage but also a cause of great color instability involving a combination of reversible and irreversible mechanisms (e.g., water addition, autoxidation) leading to colorless products. Hence, using anthocyanin-rich plant extracts as food colorings requires a deep understanding of these color-damaging mechanisms and, no less importantly, of the color-stabilizing mechanisms developed by plants, including π-stacking interactions (self-association, copigmentation), metal binding, and a combination of both. The potential of anthocyanins from deeply colored vegetables, typically acylated by hydroxycinnamic acid residues, will be emphasized in that respect. Moreover, food-grade biopolymers (proteins, polysaccharides) may provide suitable matrices for ready-to-use formulations of anthocyanins as food colorings. In this short review, the mechanisms of color loss and color stabilization are discussed as a function of anthocyanin structure and environment, and some challenges still ahead are outlined.

HPLC analysis of synthetic dyes in wastewater

The analysis of synthetic dyes in wastewater is an urgent task of modern analytical chemistry since an increased content of dyes in wastewater can have an adverse effect on the environment. Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP HPLC) is often used to control the content of dyes in various objects, which makes it possible to reliably determine the content of specified substances. The purpose of this work was to create and evaluate the metrological characteristics for the method of analysis of synthetic dyes in the industrial wastewater with a high content of inorganic salts. The chromatographic system used in this work was a Knauer high-pressure pump. The separation was performed on a Kromasil 100-5-C18 (w) reverse phase column (4.6 × 250 mm) in the gradient elution mode. Acetonitrile and ammonium acetate solution were used as the mobile phase. Synthetic dyes were detected on an Azura diode array detector. The paper presents the results of concentrating 10 synthetic dyes on commercially available solid phase extraction cartridges that were suitable for working with aqueous solutions with a high content of inorganic salts. For each substance, the degree of concentration from distilled and model wastewater was calculated, which varied from 2 to 98%. Among the analysed cartridges, the highest degree of concentration during operation in conditions close to real wastewater was shown by the Diapak P cartridge, at a pH of the concentrated solution equal to 4. The results of this study were used to develop and validate a method for a simultaneous detection of 10 synthetic food dyes (SFD) (E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129, E131, E133, E142, E151) in aqueous and organic solutions. The results of the study can be used to provide analytical control of the content of synthetic dyes in the industrial wastewater. The limit of intermediate precision of the method did not exceed 5%, and the expanded uncertainty of the measurements was less than 10%.

Synthetic Colors in Food: A Warning for Children's Health.

This study addressed the harmful effects of artificial colors in pediatric populations, including children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as those without behavioral disorders. There is a consensus that synthetic food colorings have several impacts on consumers, especially pediatrics, due to their influence on sensory appeal, which can encourage preference for certain foods. The results revealed that these color additives are directly linked to a series of health problems, with a greater impact on children, including a predisposition to pathological conditions such as carcinogenic, allergenic, mutagenic, cytotoxic, and clastogenic activities, as well as gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, in addition to behavioral changes in children with and without diagnosed disorders. The harms of synthetic dyes in children with or without comorbidities are worrying and require a careful and proactive approach from parents, caregivers and public authorities.

Biochemical and molecular evaluation of oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage in fruit fly exposed to carmoisine.

In today's world, appearance is an important factor in almost all areas of our lives. Therefore, it has become common to use dyes to color foods to make them look appetizing and visually appealing. However, food additives have negative effects on biochemical processes in cells at both high and low doses. This study investigated the effect of carmoisine, a commonly used food coloring, on oxidative stress and damage parameters in Drosophila melanogaster in terms of both enzymatic and gene expression. The change in mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN), a marker of oxidative stress, was also examined. When the data obtained were analyzed, it was observed that carmoisine caused a significant decrease in GSH levels depending on the increase in dose. SOD, CAT, GPx, and AChE enzyme activities and gene expression levels were also found to be significantly decreased. All groups also showed a significant decrease in mtDNA-CN. The effect of carmoisine on Drosophila melanogaster morphology was also investigated in our study. However, no significant change was observed in terms of morphological development in any group. When all the findings were evaluated together, it was observed that carmoisin triggered oxidative stress and these effects became more risky at high doses. Therefore, we believe that the consumer should be made more aware of the side effects of azo dyes in food and that the type and concentration of each substance added to food should be specified.

Current analytical methods and applications used in the insight of serum proteins interactions with various food additives, pesticides, and contaminants

In recent years, many societies have expressed increasing apprehension regarding the potential negative impacts of food additives, pesticides, and environmental contaminants on human health. Environmental or occupational exposure to these compounds can cause significant adverse effects on human health by causing temporary or permanent changes in the immune system. There is supporting evidence linking pesticides/food ingredients/contaminants-induced immune alterations to the prevalence of diseases associated with changes in immune responses. Hence, it is essential to comprehensively understand the key mechanisms contributing to immune dysregulation induced by these substances, including direct immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and antigenicity. The impact of pesticides/food ingredients and contaminants on the human body ranges from mild to severe, depending on their affinity for blood components. These compounds form complexes with blood serum proteins, influencing their metabolism, transport, absorption, and overall toxicity. Numerous studies in the literature have explored the interactions between serum proteins and various molecules, including pesticides, drugs, and food dyes. These investigations employed a range of techniques, including spectroscopy, electrochemical and chromatographic methods as well as molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations analyses. This recent review, spanning from 2020 to the present, has been employed to investigate the binding characteristics, mechanisms, and attributes of different food additives, pesticides, and contaminants with serum proteins by using various techniques such as steady-state fluorescence, circular dichroism and ultra-violet spectroscopies, and computational docking methods. The review provides insights into these compounds’ positions and affinities to proteins and possible effects on human health through detailed research studies.