Functional Properties of a Food Colorant Prepared from Red Cabbage

Abstract

ABSTRACT Spectral, colorant, and stability properties of colorants based on red cabbage, grape, cranberry, beet, and Red No. 40 were compared in buffer and in a simulated beverage. At pH 3, red cabbage imparted a red color similar to that of beet juice and less orange than that of the other colorants. Increasing the pH of red cabbage extracts to 4 produced a bathochromic shift and decreased color strength. Tristimulus parameters displayed maxima when L was varied. Red cabbage pigments were more stable during heating and storage than were the other colorants tested. pH had little effect on color stability; exposure to light greatly increased color loss during storage.