| ≥1 piece |
Carotene can be extracted from a number of sources including algae, carrot and palm. Mixed carotenes offer good stability to heat, and pH change. In application mixed carotenes give a yellow to orange colour depending on concentration.
Annatto is obtained from the seeds of a small tree, Bixa orellana, cultivated in America, India and East Africa. The two major pigments, bixin (oil soluble) and norbixin (water soluble) both produce orange solutions.
Paprika, the oleoresin is obtained from dried, ground red peppers by extraction and further concentration. In final application paprika can deliver orange to red shades depending on concentration.
Carminic Acid, the cochineal extract is obtained from the Coccus cacti insect, which is principally cultivated and harvested in Central and South America. An aqueous extract is obtained from the dried female insects. This is then purified to yield carminic acid.
Carminic acid is water soluble and acid stable giving orange shades at low pH and becoming redder as the pH increases.