COLOURING COMPOSITION COMPRISING STARCH DERIVATIVES AS A HYDROCOLLOID
The present invention relates to a colouring composition to be used in the manufacture of food and pharmaceutical products.
1 . A water-dispersible composition comprising at least one hydrophilic, water-insoluble solid pigment and at least 5 wt % of at least one starch octenyl succinate derivative as a hydrocolloid.
2 . The water-dispersible composition according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic, water-insoluble solid pigment is insoluble in aqueous media at below neutral pH but soluble in aqueous media at a pH in the alkaline range.
3 . The water-dispersible composition according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic, water-insoluble solid pigment is selected from the group consisting of hydrophilic carotenoids, metal chelates of carminic acid, curcumin, and chlorophyllin.
4 . The water-dispersible composition according to claim 1 , wherein the solid pigment has an average particle diameter of less than 10 μm.
5 - 6 . (canceled)
7 . The water-dispersible composition according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one hydrocolloid is present in an amount of at least 10 wt % based on the total composition.
8 . The water-dispersible composition according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one hydrocolloid is present in an amount of at least 20 wt % based on the total composition.
9 . The water-dispersible composition according to claim 1 , having a water content of more than 5 wt % based on the total composition.
10 . The water-dispersible composition according to claim 1 , having a water content of less than 5 wt % based on the total composition.
11 . A method for preparing the water-dispersible composition according to claim 1 , comprising preparing a suspension of a hydrophilic, water-insoluble solid pigment by comminuting the solid pigment in an aqueous media in the presence of at least 5 wt % of at least one starch octenyl succinate derivative as a hydrocolloid.
12 - 13 . (canceled)
14 . A water-dispersible composition obtained by a process comprising preparing a suspension of at least one hydrophobic, water-insoluble solid pigment by comminuting the pigment in the presence of at least 5 wt % of at least one starch octenyl succinate derivative as a hydrocolloid in an aqueous media wherein the suspension is prepared without an organic solvent.
15 . The water-dispersible composition according to claim 14 wherein the hydrophobic, water-insoluble solid pigment is a carotenoid.
16 . The water-dispersible composition according to claim 15 wherein the carotenoid is bixin.
17 . The water-dispersible composition according to claim 14 , wherein the solid pigment has an average particle diameter of less than 10 μm.
18 - 19 . (canceled)
20 . The water-dispersible composition according to claim 14 , wherein the at least one hydrocolloid is present in an amount of at least 10 wt %.
21 . The water-dispersible composition according to claim 14 , wherein the at least one hydrocolloid is present in an amount of at least 20 wt %.
22 . The water-dispersible composition according to claim 14 , wherein the water content in the composition is reduced to less than 5 wt %.
23 . A method for colouring an edible or pharmaceutical product, comprising adding the water-dispersible composition according to claim 1 to an edible or pharmaceutical product.
24 . An edible product comprising a water-dispersible composition according to claim 1 .
25 . A pharmaceutical product comprising a water-dispersible composition according to claim 1 .