ANNATTO Annatto is the seed of the tropical bush Bixa Orellana. This bush is native to Central and South America, where its seeds are used as a spice in traditional cooking. The major color present is a carotenoid (bixin) which is found as a resinous coating surrounding the seed itself.	ANTHOCYANINS Anthocyanins are the most widely distributed group of vegetable pigments. They are found mainly in fruits and vegetables and their colors range from bright red to blue. These are water-soluble molecules whose color is considerably affected by pH.	BETACAROTENE Biocolor's natural beta-carotene formulas are based on natural carotenoids derived from the fruit of the oil palm. The major carotenoid pigments present are beta-carotene (63%), alpha-carotene (32%) and lycopene (3%).	BETANINS Beets or beetroots are the most abundant commercial source of the betalains pigments.The betalains have a limited distribution in the plant world and it would appear that betalains and antho-cyanins are mutually exclusive. Betalains are very water-soluble but susceptible to heat degradation.
CARAMEL Caramel is a coffee-colored liquid or solid, which is obtained by controlled heating of carbohydrate foodstuffs. The majority of commercial caramel is produced from corn syrup. In the process of making caramel, catalysts are used. Four types of caramels can be obtained depending on the type of catalyst used: "spirit process", "caustic sulfite process", "ammonia process" (used in beers), and "sulfite ammonia process" (used in soft drinks).	CARTHAMUS The yellow to red water-soluble preparation extracted from the flowers of Carthamus tinctorius contains three pigments: red carthamin, safflor yellow A and safflor yellow B.	CHLOROPHYLL AND CLOROPHYLLIN Chlorophyll is an oil-soluble green pigment, which is extracted principally from alfalfa. It naturally contains an atom of magnesium in its molecular structure. The replacement of this atom with copper produces a more stable complex with greater color strength. The removal by alkaline hydrolysis of a fat chain-group attached to the complex creates the water-soluble chlorophyllins.	COCHINEAL EXTRACT CARMINE Carminic acid or "cochineal extract" is obtained through the aqueous extraction of the insect Dactylopius Coccus, commonly known as cochineal. This insect grows as a parasite on certain varieties of cactus that are found in the semi-arid regions of Peru, Bolivia and Chile.
GARDENIA Gardenia fruit and other portions of the plant have been a part of the folklore of Oriental culture for centuries. The sticky orange pulp of the gardenia fruits contains three major groups of water-soluble pigments: crocins, iridoid pigments and flavonoids.	LUTEIN Lutein is a carotenoid found in several flowers, fruits and plants. It can be obtained as a by-product of chlorophyll extraction or extracted from marigolds (Tagetes Erecta L.).	MONASCUS The genus Monascus includes several fungal species that will grow on various solid substrates, specially steamed rice. Traditionally in the Orient, Monascus species were grown on rice and the whole mass eaten as such, or dried, powdered and incorporated into food as desired.	PAPRIKA Several carotenoids, mainly capsanthin, capsorubin and beta-carotene are responsible for the red-orange color of paprika (Capsicum annuum). The total extract containing all the flavor and color components present in the original fruit is called paprika oleoresin.
TITANIUM DIOXIDE Titanium dioxide is a white insoluble powder prepared synthetically. Water- and oil-dispersible versions can be manufactured using different solvents suitable for the food industry.	TURMERIC Turmeric is a powder obtained by the desiccation and grinding of the Turmeric plant (Curcuma longa) rhizomes. It is a pungent yellow spice that is cultivated in countries like India, China, Pakistan and Peru. It is one of the principal ingredients of curry powder.	VEGETABLE CARBON Vegetable carbon is the result of the complete combustion of vegetable material. The powder generated is black and has very finely sized particles, usually smaller than 5 microns. It is for this reason that its most common form of application is as a viscose suspension in a solvent suitable for the food industry.