CHLOROPHYLLS, COPPER COMPLEXES
Prepared at the 31st JECFA (1987), published in FNP 38 (1988) and in FNP 52 (1992). Metals and arsenic specifications revised at the 59th JECFA
(2002). An ADI of 0-15 mg/kg bw was established at the 13th JECFA (1969)
SYNONYMS Copper chlorophyll, copper phaeophytin, CI Natural Green 3; C.I. (1975) No. 75810, INS No. 141(i)
DEFINITION Obtained by addition of an organic salt of copper to the substance obtained by solvent extraction of grass, lucerne, nettle and other plant material; the product, from which the solvent has been removed, contains other pigments such as carotenoids as well as fats and waxes derived from the source material; the principal colouring matters are the copper phaeophytins.
Only the following solvents may be used for the extraction: Acetone, dichloromethane, methanol, ethanol, propan-2-ol and hexane.
Chemical names [Phytyl (132R,17S,18S)-3-(8-ethyl-132-methoxycarbonyl-2,7,12,18-tetramethyl-131-oxo-3-vinyl-131,132,17,18-tetra-hydrocyclopenta [at]-prophyrin-17-yl)propionate] copper (II) (Copper chlorophyll a) [Phytyl (132R,17S,18S)-3-(8-ethyl-7-formyl-132-methoxycarbonyl-2,12,18-trimethyl-131-oxo-3-vinyl-131,132,17,18-tetrahydro-cyclopenta [at]prophyrin-17-yl)propionate] copper (II) (Copper chlorophyll b)
C.A.S. number 65963-40-8
Formula weight Copper phaeophytin a: 932.75
Copper phaeophytin b: 946.73
Assay Not less than 10% of total copper phaeophytins
DESCRIPTION Waxy solid ranging in colour from blue green to dark green depending on the source material.
FUNCTIONAL USES Colour
