The presentation titled “Natural Colorants: The Opportunities and Challenges in Using Them Successfully,” was given by Winston A. Boyd, Ph.D., Principal Consultant and Owner, Earthwise Technology. This presentation was part of Global Food Forums’ 2021 Premium Webinar Series “Technical Solutions in Formulating Clean Label Food.”
The webinar description is as follows: We understand that consumer preferences and expectations related to appearance are driven in part by color. Color also provides an indication as to the taste, quality and even safety of the foods we eat. It can create an emotional connection such as when color aligns with expectations of familial or seasonal food favorites. This presentation on using natural colorants successfully, presents a case analysis of three common but sometimes difficult to solve coloring use challenges. The audience will be offered suggestions on what should be considered and what could be done to address these issues.
Excerpt from written summary of this presentation: Boyd created a simple experiment to demonstrate the properties of curcumin. Two different oleoresin (OR) turmeric preparations were mixed in water and placed in clear glass bottles. One solution was cloudier than the other due to its formulation. The clear solution contained a more water-dispersible version of OR turmeric.
After four hours in direct sunlight at 90°F, the clear solution was nearly decolorized. The solution that was originally cloudy retained some color but lost quite of bit of its intensity and was no longer cloudy. After 12 hours in direct sunlight at 90°F, the clear solution was completely decolorized, and the other solution retained little of its original color.
This experiment showed the type of curcumin formulation can influence its stability over time. Although the cloudiness of the solution offered some protection against the harmful effect of sunlight, both solutions faded quickly, demonstrating just how sensitive curcumin is to the destructive effects of sunlight.
Click here to view the written summary “Understanding Natural Food Colorants.”
NOTE: A summary of this presentation plus expanded information will be published late fall of 2021.
See Winston Boyd’s video below.
