USE OF ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUND AS AGENT FOR SHIFTING ULTRAVIOLET/VISIBLE RANGE ABSORPTION OF CAROTENOID TO DEEP SIDE, COMPLEX COMPOSED OF CAROTENOID AND ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUND, CAROTENOID PREPARATION AND ITS PRODUCTION

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shift the absorption peak of a carotenoid in ultraviolet/visible range spectrum to deep side and obtain a new color by using an organic sulfur compound. SOLUTION: An organic sulfur compound (preferably lipoic acid and/or a lipoic acid derivative) is used as an agent for shifting the ultraviolet/visible range absorption of a carotenoid to deep side. The absorption peak of a carotenoid in ultraviolet/visible range spectrum is shifted to deep side by 1-100 nm by the use of the organic sulfur compound. The organic sulfur compound can be used in the form of a complex with a carotenoid, and a carotenoid preparation is produced by using the complex in combination with other assistant or additive. The contents of the carotenoid and the organic sulfur compound in the carotenoid preparation are preferably 0.01-25 wt.% and 0.1-40 wt.%, respectively. The preparation can be used as an additive for food, or the like.