There is a fairly common myth that "all these E's are one big harm." Indeed, even among the food additives approved for use in Russia there are both carcinogenic and causing severe allergic reactions, while not bringing any benefit. However, some of them are completely harmless, and even useful, such as red-orange organic E160a - beta-carotene.
Beta-carotene is divided into two types according to the method of obtaining - E160a (i), synthesized chemically and E160 (ii), obtained directly from biological raw materials.
The main name of the E160a dye is beta-carotene, or β-carotene, eng. beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is called this because there are structurally identical β-rings at each end of its molecule.
Chemical formula: C 40 H 56.
According to the E160a type, it belongs to carotenes, which, in turn, are terpenoids - oxygen-containing organic compounds (usually of natural origin), their carbon skeleton is formed of isoprene units.
Beta-carotene is a pro-vitamin A (retinol).The main properties of E160a can be presented in the table:
| Index | Standard values |
| Colour | red-orange or orange-yellow |
| Composition | β-carotene or β-carotene molecules and solvent |
| Appearance | orange monoclinic crystal, orange powder |
| Smell | neutral, but specific persistent odor, it is β-carotene that is the main source of, for example, carrot odor |
| Solubility | insoluble in pure water, but readily soluble in ether, benzene, hexane, propylene glycol, chloroform and fats. |
| Share of dyes | 100% |
| Boiling point | 654.7 ° C at 760 mm Hg Art. |
| Density | 0.941 g / cm 3 |
| Melting point | 178-179 ° C |
| Stability | stable, but sensitive to air, heat and light, pyrophoric, that is, it can ignite spontaneously in air at room temperature |
| Flash point | 346 ° C |
| Acid resistance | high |
Dry beta-carotene is packed in boxes, bags, in liquid form - in plastic bottles and cans.
The USA and Germany supply most of the chemically synthesized carotene to the world market, in Spain it is mainly produced from blakeslea trispora mushrooms, in Australia it is made from dried algae Dunaliella salina.
Due to the availability of the source, production or synthesis of E160a has been established worldwide.Among the producers of β-carotene abroad, one can name, for example,
In Russia, one can name LLC "NPP AQUA-MDT", the production of β-carotene from algae was launched in the Crimea, PK "Galit".
You can buy E160a in Russia in such companies as:
Beta-carotene is tinted:
Е160а is approved for use by WHO. Since beta-carotene is necessary for humans, and its harm is minimal, it is approved for use in all countries of the world.
In Europe and the United States, the use of E160a (i) (synthetic β-carotene) is prohibited in children aged 1-3 years as it can cause dermatitis.The consumption rate is up to 5 mg / kg of body weight per day.
E160a has a rather funny, albeit harmless, effect - beta-carotene accumulates in subcutaneous fat, staining it yellow, so those who consume it in excess can get a yellow skin tone, which is completely safe, because unlike a vitamin And β-carotene is non-toxic.
Carotene is found in many orange, yellow and green leaves, vegetables and fruits, from which (primarily from the carrot that gave it its name) it was originally learned to extract. Now, bacteria, algae and mushrooms with a high content of this substance are also used to obtain natural beta-carotene.
Beta-carotene has many excellent properties, but it is worth remembering that there are no uniquely beneficial substances. From the useful, you can indicate that it is a source of vitamin A, which means that it has a positive effect on the condition of the skin and hair, helps to sunbathe safely in the sun, can be a prophylactic agent against cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, and improves the state of immunity.
It is believed that beta-carotene may also be a cancer prevention agent, but according to Pub-Med, the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health in the United States, there is no significant beneficial effect, and a daily intake of beta-carotene at a dose of 20-30 milligrams for smokers and people working in the asbestos industry, on the other hand, increases the likelihood of developing stomach and lung cancer. Therefore, if a person smokes, it is necessary to be careful about the use of pure carotene.
Synthetic carotene is less bioavailable than natural carotene, which reduces its benefits and increases the likelihood of allergies.
We can say that E160a is rather a useful supplement, so buying your favorite mayonnaise and regretting your figure, you can console yourself with the content of this dye in it, which can bring undoubted health benefits. But the best source of β-carotene for humans will, of course, be natural vegetables and fruits, especially those combined with fats.
Annatto extract (Annatto, bixin, norbixin, annatto, bixin, E160b) - yellow dye.
E160b additive (annatto extract) is a vegetable dye from yellow to dark orange color. The additive E160b is obtained from the seeds of the Bixa orellána tree (Latin Bíxa orellána), which grows in tropical and subtropical forests. The reddish pericarp surrounding the plant seeds is used as the starting material for the E160b dye. E160b additive is produced by grinding seeds or boiling them in oil or water.
Fat-soluble annatto extracts are called bixin, while water-soluble extracts are called norbixin. Annatto seeds contain about 5% pigment, which is 70-80% bixin. The pigment shade ranging from yellow to orange is due to compounds of bixin and norbixin called carotenoids. However, unlike another additive of this type (E160a), annatto extracts have a more pronounced orange tint. Bixin molecular formula: C 25 H 30 O 4.
Annatto first appeared as a food and cosmetic supplement in South America and then became popular in various parts of Asia and Central America. Prior to this, the Aztecs used annatto extracts to add annatto to body paints and cosmetics. Today, E160b is most actively used in the food industry in the Caribbean and Latin America.
In the European Union, annatto extracts are labeled as food supplement E160b. In the US, products containing annatto extracts are believed to have a natural color. Therefore, this dye is not subject to mandatory certification.
Although E160b is a natural colorant, there have been cases in medicine where annatto extracts have caused food allergies. At the same time, in general, E160b is called a dye that is safe for people who do not have hypersensitivity to a number of products. At the same time, it is believed that the allergenic properties of annatto are still poorly understood. Allergic studies of the supplement were carried out only once - in 1978, when it was tested on 61 patients suffering from chronic urticaria and Quincke's edema. In the study, 26% of patients responded to this supplement four hours after a meal, which is worse than the response to some natural and synthetic dyes (amaranth (9%), tartrazine (11%), sunset yellow FCF (17%), food red 17 (16%), ponso 4R (15%), erythrosine (12%) and brilliant blue (14%). Currently, studies on the effect of annatto on allergic reactions are ongoing. Some scientists consider annatto one of the the strongest allergens in food.
Annatto extracts, like other carotenoids, are rich in antioxidants and tocotrienols and in their structure and functions in the body are similar to vitamin E. At the moment, studies are continuing on the effect of foods rich in carotenoids (palm oil, rice bran) on the human body. Scientists believe that annatto may have a positive effect in the fight against cancer, as it has an anti-angiogenetic effect.
In the food industry, annatto is used as a food coloring, giving foods yellow and orange colors and a slightly pungent aroma with hints of nutmeg or nuts. Most often, the E160b additive is used to color cheeses (for example, "Cheddar" or "Gloucester" cheese, which was dyed with annatto back in the 16th century), milk pastes, butter, margarine. E160b is also used to color some non-dairy products such as rice, custards, condiments, baked goods, processed potatoes and snacks, cereals, and smoked fish. In addition, E160b dye is widely used to give an orange tint to chips and other products.
In addition to the food industry, annatto additive is used:
E160b dye is included in the list of approved food additives in Russia, Ukraine and most European countries, as an additive that is harmless to human health.
As a result of large-scale scientific studies of the effect of the food additive on the human body, as well as the properties of the E160b dye annatto extract, it was found that this chemical belongs to the so-called conditionally safe group. This means that no apparent harm has been identified with the E160b extract annatto dye.
However, as well as benefits, therefore, the supplement is only conditionally safe, because there will always be people, the so-called risk group, who will suffer from the chemical composition of the E160b annatto extract dye. The fact is that the basis of the composition of the E160b extract annatto dye contains substances of natural origin that can cause allergic reactions. The properties of the E160b dye annatto extract are due to biologically active substances that are part of the food additive and are called bixins or annatto.
The yellow and orange coloring matter is obtained from the fruit of the plant Bixa orellana or oleander tree. Moreover, the color palette of the E160b dye. Annatto extract is not limited to yellow-orange shades. The food additive can give a pink color, and if you mix the coloring pigments of norbixin and bixin with other dyes, you get some complex colors. Dye E160b Annatto extract has excellent chemical properties and characteristics that are resistant to external influences.
For example, the compound component and coloring pigment norbixin dissolves perfectly in water, and its counterpart bixin mixes without problems with fatty solutions. Thanks to the dyes that are included in the chemical composition of the additive, the E160b dye annatto extract is sufficiently resistant to temperature changes, exposure to light or humidity. It is noteworthy that the E160b dye Annatto extract is able to change its color palette depending on the temperature.
The food additive is actively used in the food industry in most countries, including Europe, America and the Russian Federation. Dye E160b Annatto extract can be found in such products as: yoghurts, puddings, all kinds of oils and margarine, cheeses, bread and bakery products, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
It is believed that the harm of the E160b dye annatto extract is so small for the human body that this substance is not prohibited for use. However, do not think that a food supplement cannot harm your health. Doctors recommend eliminating the E160b extract annatto dye from the diet of children to avoid allergic reactions.
Also, in large quantities, E160b supplements can trigger a spike in blood pressure. Until now, scientists and doctors do not stop working on studying the effect of the E160b extract annatto dye on the human body, including the coloring agents of the additives, are being tested for toxicity.
By its chemical properties, dye E160e Carotenic aldehyde is an absolute copy of the natural dye beta-carotene. Carotene, which is part of a natural dye called, colors substances in a palette of yellow-orange colors. In this case, biologically active carotene compounds act as a natural anticarcinogen and antioxidant.
Carotene in the natural environment can be found in foods such as carrots, green onions and lettuce, parsley, spinach and sorrel are incredibly rich in nutrients. Natural carotene also enters the human body with black currant, gooseberry, peach and apricot fruits. Also useful carotene is found in red pepper or paprika. The beta-carotene contains important.
Beta-carotene is obtained not only from natural sources, which proves the existence and chemical composition of the dye E160e Carotenic aldehyde. Carotene can be obtained from substances of natural and synthetic origin. Properties of E160e dye Carotenic aldehyde corresponds to the second type of carotene. The impetus for the creation of the supplement E160e Carotenic aldehyde was precisely the beneficial properties of carotene, which in its natural form quickly loses its exceptional characteristics.
On the contrary, the substances that make up the E160e dye Carotenic aldehyde do not change at all under the influence of external factors, whether it be changes in temperature, humidity or air. It is these distinctive qualities that make it possible to achieve excellent and stable results for coloring substances in a palette from yellow to red.
Synthetic analogue of carotene dye E160e Carotenic aldehyde is widely used not only in food production, but also in the cosmetic and chemical industries. The main quality of E160e dye for industrialists is that the food additive helps to increase the shelf life of the products in which it is contained. E160e can be found in the majority of cheeses, both foreign and domestic. Moreover, not only processed or creamy, but also hard cheeses are tinted with the additive.
According to the classification of food additives adopted in scientific circles in accordance with the level of their danger to life and human health, the E160e dye belongs to conditionally safe substances. This means that neither scientists nor physicians have revealed any obvious and serious harm to the E160e dye Carotenic aldehyde during the research. However, if doctors were 100% sure, the word conditionally would not be used to classify the supplement.
The fact is that the harm of the E160e dye Carotenic aldehyde can be expressed in a persistent allergic reaction of some groups of people, which, by the way, are increasing every year. Since childhood, we have been consuming foods containing dyes that accumulate in our body and harm meleno, but surely. Therefore, children's doctors advise parents to exclude synthetic substances from their children's diet.
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Today we will analyze all the useful and harmful properties (mainly useful) of the food coloring E160a - Carotene. This is a harmless supplement, it differs from the rest of the same by the fact that it also brings great benefits to human health, which you can read about below.
Carotene (E160a) - yellow-orange dye, source of vitamin A, antioxidant, anticarcinogen. It belongs to the group of food colors. Chemical formula: C40H56
Contained in plant foods: carrots, spinach, lettuce, parsley, green onions, sorrel, red pepper, black currants, blueberries, gooseberries, peaches, apricots. Carotene gives the orange color to many fruits and vegetables.
Carota is the Latin word for carrots. She is a real storehouse of carotene. Carotene is an orange pigment, which is the result of the process of photosynthesis in plants. The more intense the color, namely orange, the more carotene there is in this or that product. Moreover, carotenes are not produced in living organisms.
There are two main forms of carotene: alpha-carotene (α-carotene) and beta-carotene (β-carotene). There are also gamma, delta, epsilon, and zeta carotene (γ, δ, ε, and ζ carotene), but these are not widely used. Alpha- and beta-carotene molecules are almost identical, only the positions of double bonds in the terminal ring of the molecule differ.
E160a dye is insoluble in water, but it can be soluble in organic solvents and fats. The dye is sufficiently resistant to light and heat. The colorant can give dairy products a variety of colors, from light yellow to bright orange.
| Index | Standard values |
| Colour | red-orange or orange-yellow |
| Composition | β-carotene or β-carotene molecules and solvent |
| Appearance | orange monoclinic crystal, orange powder |
| Smell | neutral, but specific persistent odor, it is β-carotene that is the main source of, for example, carrot odor |
| Solubility | insoluble in pure water, but readily soluble in ether, benzene, hexane, propylene glycol, chloroform and fats. |
| Share of dyes | 100% |
| Boiling point | 654.7 ° C at 760 mm Hg Art. |
| Density | 0.941 g / cm 3 |
| Melting point | 178-179 ° C |
| Stability | stable, but sensitive to air, heat and light, pyrophoric, that is, it can ignite spontaneously in air at room temperature |
| Flash point | 346 ° C |
| Acid resistance | high |
In industry, carotene (food additive E160a) is either synthesized chemically or extracted from carotene-rich foods. Depending on the type of production, E160a additive is divided into two subtypes:
The USA supplies to the world market most of the synthetically obtained carotene, in Spain it is produced from a special type of mushroom, in Australia it is extracted from dried algae. Also other plants and some types of bacteria can be an industrial source of E160a additive.
In the food industry, the food additive is used as a safe colorant. It is found in drinks, juices, confectionery, and other foods.
Most often, natural dye is used for food purposes for coloring 
many food products, such as:
And also a number of other fermented milk products.
Synthetic beta-carotene is used as a food 
additives in the manufacture:
Due to the universal properties of the E160a Carotene dye, its use is not limited only to the food industry - it is also used in agriculture (compound feed), in the production of tobacco products and cosmetics, as well as in the field of nanotechnology and medicine.
In general, carotene is a vital element. It is the main source of vitamin A in the human body.
Due to the fact that carotenes are antioxidants, they prevent the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products in the body, thereby eliminating excess toxins. The use of natural carotenes as sources of vitamin A is the prevention of vision loss. Carotenes reduce the harmful effects of radioactive radiation on the body.
The dietary supplement has a rather funny, albeit harmless, effect - beta-carotene accumulates in subcutaneous fat, staining it yellow, so those who consume it in excess can get a yellow skin tone, which is completely safe, because unlike vitamin A β-carotene is non-toxic.
However, an excess of carotene in the body can lead to the disease of carotenemia. Since carotene, unlike vitamin A, has low toxicity, usually carotenemia (hypercarotinemia) is not considered a dangerous disease, although it leads to a change in skin tone to a more yellow color.
It is not recommended to consume an excessive amount of E160a supplement for people at risk of cancer (smokers, people who drink alcohol, workers in the asbestos industry), as several studies have shown that excessive consumption of beta-carotene in food increases the risk of cancer in people of this group. However, there are no studies that prove this applies to the general population.
E160a additive is approved for use in food products in Russia, Ukraine and many other countries.
Sources:
oproduktax.ru/foodaddition/E160a
vkusologia.ru/dobavki/krasiteli/e160a.html
general characteristics
Carotenes are found in many plants, fruits, and vegetables. Extracted from natural raw materials or by chemical synthesis.
They are powders or viscous liquid. Color - from yellow, orange to brown. They can have a slight specific taste, which gives a special flavor to some products.
The group of E160 additives is used for coloring products, giving them the necessary shade or enhancing an existing one. Substances retain their color throughout the shelf life. They also increase shelf life, restore lost color and add a pungent flavor.
Carotenes are considered safe supplements that are not harmful to health when consumed in moderation. Many of them are good for the body. But an overdose of substances can lead to negative consequences, so their use must be approached reasonably.
E160a has a beneficial effect on cognitive functions, is a source of vitamin A, has antioxidant properties, and improves immunity. E160b reduces the risk of developing cataracts, diabetes and cancer. E160s has a beneficial effect on digestion, kidney, pancreas, lungs and heart function. Improves blood circulation, stimulates metabolism, has anti-inflammatory and tonic effect. E160d improves vision, removes harmful cholesterol, and reduces the likelihood of tumors.
An overdose of carotenes can cause allergic reactions, itching, rash, and nausea. This may cause the skin color to turn orange.
Substances of this group color many food products. Most often they are used to get shades from yellow to orange. Carotenes also restore color and retain it for a long time.
Products to which carotenes are added:
Carotenes are also used in cosmetology, medicine, pharmaceuticals, animal feed production, nanotechnology, etc.
When using carotenes, it is necessary to adhere to the dosages established by the legislation (Table 1).
Table 1 - The norm of the content of food additive E160 in products according to SanPiN 2.3.2.1293-03 of 05/26/2008
|
Food product |
Maximum level of E160 content in products, mg / kg |
|
Cow butter (butter), including reduced fat and milk fat |
According to TI (E160a) |
|
Margarine and fat emulsions, anhydrous fats |
According to TI (E160a) |
|
Processed cheese flavored |
|
|
Some types of cheeses made according to recipes approved by the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation |
50 mg / kg (E160b). According to TI (E160a, E160s) |
|
Vegetables in vinegar, brine or oil, excluding olives |
According to TI (E160a) |
|
Breakfast cereals, cereal extruded and bloated and / or fruit flavored |
According to TI (E160a, E160s) |
|
Jams, jellies, marmalades and other similar fruit processing products, including low-calorie ones |
According to TI (E160a, E160s). |
|
Sausages, small sausages, boiled sausages, pates, boiled meat |
|
|
Flavored soft drinks |
100 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Glazed fruits and vegetables and canned (colored) fruits |
200 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Sugar confectionery |
300 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Decorative coatings |
500 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Rich bakery and flour confectionery and pasta |
200 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Ice cream, popsicles |
150 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Desserts, including flavored dairy products |
150 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Processed flavored cheeses |
100 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Sauces, seasonings (dry and pasty), pickles, etc. |
500 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
300 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
|
Pastes: fish and crustaceans |
100 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Boiled crustaceans |
250 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Fish "under salmon", minced fish surimi |
500 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Fish roe |
300 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Smoked fish |
100 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Dry snacks based on potatoes, cereals or starch, with spices (extruded or exploded spicy snacks) |
200 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Dry snacks based on potatoes, cereals or starch, with spices (other snack products) |
100 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Edible coatings of cheeses and sausages |
According to TI (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Complete dietary food mixtures |
50 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Solid biologically active food additives |
100 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Liquid food supplements |
300 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
50 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
|
Meat and fish analogues based on vegetable proteins |
100 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Alcoholic drinks, flavored wines and drinks based on them, fruit wines (still and sparkling), cider |
250 (E160e, E160f, E160d) |
|
Margarine and other fat emulsions and anhydrous fats |
|
|
Decorative products and casings |
|
|
Sweet bakery and flour confectionery |
|
|
Liqueurs and fortified drinks containing less than 15 vol. % alcohol |
|
|
Cheese casings (edible) |
|
|
Smoked fish |
Most countries allow the use of carotenes. These include Russia, Ukraine, USA, European states.
Russian legislation regulates the use of E160 in food products on the basis of SanPiN 2.3.2.1293-03 of May 26, 2008:
You can find out more about the E160a additive in the video below.
