Pigment Formulation
A stable aqueous suspension comprising a crystalline carotenoid; a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol alginate and gum acacia; a dispersant which comprises at least one sucrose ester of a fatty acid; and water. These suspensions exhibit desirable stability and are particularly useful for the production of red colors which are not animal sourced. In addition, consumable products comprising such suspension; and a solid composition formed by drying such suspension are disclosed.
1 . An aqueous suspension comprising:
(a) a crystalline carotenoid;
(b) a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol alginate and gum acacia;
(c) a dispersant which comprises at least one sucrose ester of a fatty acid; and
(d) water.
2 . The suspension of claim 1 wherein such composition comprises between 1 and 5 weight percent of crystalline carotenoid; between 1 and 30 weight percent of propylene glycol alginate and/or of gum acacia; between 0.5 and 5 percent by weight of sucrose esters of fatty acids; and between 65 and 98 weight percent of water; based upon the total weight of the suspension.
3 . The suspension of claim 2 wherein such composition comprises between 1 and 3 weight percent of crystalline carotenoid; between 20 and 30 weight percent of propylene glycol alginate and/or of gum acacia; and between 1 and 3 weight percent of sucrose ester of fatty acid; based upon the total weight of the suspension.
4 . The suspension of claim 1 wherein the carotenoid is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, spheroidene, spirilloxanthin, bixin, violaxanthin, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and β-apo-8′-carotinal.
5 . The suspension of claim 4 wherein the carotenoid comprises at least one member of the group consisting of lycopene and beta-carotene.
6 . The suspension of claim 1 wherein the stabilizer is propylene glycol alginate.
7 . The suspension of claim 1 wherein the stabilizer is gum acacia.
8 . The suspension of claim 1 wherein said composition further comprises one or more additional food emulsifier.
9 . The suspension of claim 8 wherein said additional food emulsifier is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of polyglycerol fatty acid esters, lecithin, and ethoxylated sorbitan esters.
10 . The suspension of claim 9 wherein said additional food emulsifier is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate.
11 . The suspension of claim 1 wherein said suspension further comprises a food compatible liquid.
12 . The suspension of claim 11 wherein said food compatible liquid is at least one member selected from the group consisting of glycerol, propylene glycol and ethanol.
13 . The suspension of claim 12 wherein said food compatible liquid is propylene glycol.
14 . The suspension of claim 1 wherein the carotenoid has a particle size d50 of less than 7 μm.
15 . The suspension of claim 14 wherein the carotenoid has a particle size d50 of less than 5 μm.
16 . The suspension of claim 1 wherein said suspension further comprises an antioxidant.
17 . The suspension of claim 16 wherein said antioxidant is at least one member selected from the group consisting of alpha tocopherol and ascorbyl palmitate.
18 . The suspension of claim 1 wherein said suspension does not contain soybean extract fiber.
19 . A consumable product comprising the suspension of claim 1 .
20 . The consumable product of claim 19 wherein said food product is a beverage.
21 . A solid composition produced by drying the suspension of claim 1 .
22 . The solid composition of claim 21 wherein said drying is accomplished by spray drying the suspension.