Color-stabilized carotenoid pigment compositions and foods colored therewith having increased resistance to oxidative color fading

摘要

Superior color-stabilized annatto, tomato, carrot, marigold, or synthetic carotenoid compositions, which embody certain surface-active agents, especially such compositions having increased resistance to color fading in foods exposed to oxidative stress, wherein an edible solid substrate for the carotenoid pigment or color may also be present, are disclosed, as well as: a method of stabilizing such a carotenoid pigment against oxidative discoloration; foodstuffs which may encounter oxidative stress and which are colored with a color-stabilized carotenoid composition of the invention; a method for coloring a foodstuff which may be subjected to oxidative stress by the employment of a color-stabilized carotenoid composition of the invention; the enhancement of color stabilization characteristics in the compositions and color-stabilizing effectiveness of the methods of the invention by the employment therein of a natural antioxidant; and the still further enhancement of the color- stabilizing characteristics of the compositions and color-stabilizing effectiveness of the methods of the present invention by the further employment therein of an edible oil-soluble ascorbic acid ester. Further, the use of a natural antioxidant, e.g., a Labiatae or tea extract or a tocopherol, alone to produce surprisingly effective color-stabilization in such carotenoid compositions, foodstuffs, and methods is also disclosed.