CAROTENES (Algae)
Prepared at the 51st JECFA (1998), published in FNP 52 Add 6 (1998) superseding specifications prepared at the 44th JECFA (1995), published in
FNP 52 Add 3 (1995). No ADI allocated at the 41st JECFA in 1993. Metals and arsenic specifications revised at the 59th JECFA (2002).
SYNONYMS Natural ß-carotene, carotenes-natural; INS No. 160a(iv); CI (1975) No. 75130; CI (1975) No. 40800 (ß-Carotene)
DEFINITION Carotenes (algae) are obtained by solvent extraction of the dried Dunaliella salina (syn. D. bardawil and D. Kone). The main colouring principles are transand cis -ß-carotene together with minor amounts of other carotenoids such as alpha-carotene and xanthophylls. Besides the colour pigments, carotenes (algae) may contain lipids, naturally occurring in the source material, food grade vegetable oil, and tocopherol added to retard oxidation of the pigment.
The only solvents used for the extraction are carbon dioxide, acetone, methanol, propan-2-ol, hexane, ethanol and vegetable oil.
The main articles of commerce are suspensions in food grade vegetable/plant oil. Others are liquid in food grade oil, dispersion in water using food additive emulsifier, and as a powder using a pulverizing agent such as dextrin. This is for ease of use and to improve stability as ß-carotenes easily oxidize.
Class Carotenoid
C.A.S. number 7235-40-7
Chemical formula C40H56 (ß-Carotene)
Formula weight 536.88 (ß-Carotene)
Assay Content of carotenes (calculated as ß-carotene) is not less than declared
DESCRIPTION Red-brown to brown or orange to dark orange solid, suspension, liquid, dispersion or powder
FUNCTIONAL USES Colour
