Purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.), as a natural source of food pigment, has attracted much attention due to its rich anthocyanin content. Next, we will explore the application of purple sweet potato pigment as a colorant in the food industry, including its chemical composition, extraction and purification methods, stability, safety, functional effects and impact on food sensory quality, and analyze the application effect of the pigment in different foods based on actual cases.
As consumers pay more and more attention to food safety and health, finding safe, effective and functional natural food pigments has become an important topic in the food industry. Purple sweet potato pigment not only provides bright colors for food, but also may bring additional nutritional and health benefits, making it an ideal natural food pigment choice. In this context, our Sunflower Company has established a good reputation in the field of vegetable plant pigments with its years of accumulated expertise and technical strength.
Chemical properties of purple sweet potato pigment
Purple sweet potato pigment is mainly composed of anthocyanin, a water-soluble polyphenol compound that gives purple sweet potato its unique purple color. The color of anthocyanins changes according to the pH value, showing red to purple in an acidic environment and turning blue or green under alkaline conditions. In addition, purple sweet potatoes also contain a variety of antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, β-carotene, etc., which help improve human immunity and resist diseases.
Extraction and purification process
Extraction method
Purple sweet potato pigments are usually extracted by solvent extraction, and commonly used solvents are water, ethanol or other organic solvents. In order to improve the extraction efficiency, physical and mechanical treatment can be used to break the cell wall to make the pigment easier to release.
Purification process
The crude extract after extraction needs to be purified by filtration, centrifugation, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration or reverse osmosis to remove impurities and concentrate the pigment solution. During this process, special attention should be paid to the control of temperature and pH conditions to ensure the stability of the pigment and the active ingredients are not damaged.
Stability
The stability of purple sweet potato pigments is affected by many factors, including light, oxygen, temperature and pH. Generally speaking, it is more stable in an acidic environment, but it is prone to degradation under high temperature and strong light. Therefore, in practical applications, the pigment can be protected from the external environment by adding antioxidants, adjusting the pH value, or using light-shielding packaging.
Safety assessment
Several studies have confirmed that the appropriate use of purple sweet potato pigment is safe and harmless to the human body. It is widely regarded as a GRAS (generally recognized as safe) substance that meets international food safety standards. However, in the development of new products, a comprehensive safety evaluation is still required in accordance with relevant regulatory requirements.
Functional effects
In addition to being a natural colorant, purple sweet potato pigment shows potential functional value due to its rich antioxidants and other bioactive substances. For example, it can inhibit the production of free radicals and help prevent chronic diseases; it can also improve the structure of intestinal microbial communities and promote digestive health.
Effect on food sensory quality
Purple sweet potato pigment can give food a unique purple hue without significantly changing the taste or smell of the food. This makes it an ideal choice for many baked products, beverages, candies and other processed foods. In addition, due to its good solubility and compatibility, purple sweet potato pigment is easy to mix with other food ingredients to achieve a uniform coloring effect.
Application Examples
Purple sweet potato pigment has been successfully used in various foods, including but not limited to ice cream, yogurt, jam, pastry decoration, etc. Its natural origin and good taste make it particularly suitable for children's food and organic food markets. The amount of addition can be adjusted according to the required color intensity in specific applications, while considering the impact of other ingredients on the color of the final product.
In summary, purple sweet potato pigment, as a natural, safe and versatile food pigment, has broad application prospects in the modern food industry. Future research should continue to focus on optimizing the extraction process, enhancing stability and exploring more functional uses to better meet market demand and promote human health. We, Sunflower Company, will continue to play our leading role in the field of vegetable plant pigments, help the industry develop, and provide global customers with better natural pigment products and services.