Beta-carotene, nature's healthy colourant, is the perfect choice of colourant for yellow-orange beverages. Not only does it provide a bright and appetising colour, it also allows the beverage manufacturer to make a claim for vitaminA, since Beta-carotene is known as pro-vitaminA.
Besides, when following a few easy application guidelines, the beverage manufacturer can benefit from a colourant with very high colour intensity and unparalleled stability.
The graphic outlines a typical manufacturing route for a juice based beverage. It is important to assure good distribution of the colourant throughout the beverage, which is why it is highly recommended to prepare a pre-solution (stock solution) of Beta-carotene in water. If a powder based Beta-carotene formulation is used it should be sprinkled onto the agitated water surface. If instead a Beta-carotene emulsion is applied, mixing with water is easier but equally important for the final result.
aRinging' is a henomenon that may occur in beverages. It happens when an oily ring is formed at the neck of the bottle.
Normally the ring would be almost invisible, but in presence of the oil soluble Beta-carotene it stands out as a red undesirable ring.
The ring may stem from the flavour oils of the beverage formulation and the remedy is therefore to optimise the stability of the beverage formulation ie changing the homogenisation parameters or adding stabilisers. Alternatively the ring can stem from the oil content of a poorly designed Beta-carotene formulation, and great care is therefore advised in the selection of Beta-carotene supplier.
By carefully introducing
Beta-carotene into beverage formulations, manufacturers have been enjoying the outstanding benefits of this ingredient for many years, and will continue to have a powerful and healthy colourant at their disposal.
Allied Biotech Corporation is based in Tappernøje, Denmark. www.altratene.com
