Colouring composition comprising starch derivatives as a hydrocolloid

Abstract

The present invention relates to a colouring composition to be used in the manufacture of food and pharmaceutical products.

1 . A water-dispersible composition comprising at least one hydrophilic, water-insoluble solid pigment and at least 5 wt % of at least one starch octenyl succinate derivative as a hydrocolloid. 
     
     
         2 . The water-dispersible composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic, water-insoluble solid pigment is insoluble in aqueous media at below neutral pH but soluble in aqueous media at a pH in the alkaline range. 
     
     
         3 . The water-dispersible composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophilic, water-insoluble solid pigment is selected from the group consisting of hydrophilic carotenoids, metal chelates of carminic acid, curcumin, and chlorophyllin. 
     
     
         4 . The water-dispersible composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the solid pigment has an average particle diameter of less than 10 μm. 
     
     
         5 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The water-dispersible composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hydrocolloid is present in an amount of at least 10 wt % based on the total composition. 
     
     
         8 . The water-dispersible composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hydrocolloid is present in an amount of at least 20 wt % based on the total composition. 
     
     
         9 . The water-dispersible composition according to  claim 1 , having a water content of more than 5 wt % based on the total composition. 
     
     
         10 . The water-dispersible composition according to  claim 1 , having a water content of less than 5 wt % based on the total composition. 
     
     
         11 . A method for preparing the water-dispersible composition according to  claim 1 , comprising preparing a suspension of a hydrophilic, water-insoluble solid pigment by comminuting the solid pigment in an aqueous media in the presence of at least 5 wt % of at least one starch octenyl succinate derivative as a hydrocolloid. 
     
     
         12 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A water-dispersible composition obtained by a process comprising preparing a suspension of at least one hydrophobic, water-insoluble solid pigment by comminuting the pigment in the presence of at least 5 wt % of at least one starch octenyl succinate derivative as a hydrocolloid in an aqueous media wherein the suspension is prepared without an organic solvent. 
     
     
         15 . The water-dispersible composition according to  claim 14  wherein the hydrophobic, water-insoluble solid pigment is a carotenoid. 
     
     
         16 . The water-dispersible composition according to  claim 15  wherein the carotenoid is bixin. 
     
     
         17 . The water-dispersible composition according to  claim 14 , wherein the solid pigment has an average particle diameter of less than 10 μm. 
     
     
         18 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The water-dispersible composition according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one hydrocolloid is present in an amount of at least 10 wt %. 
     
     
         21 . The water-dispersible composition according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one hydrocolloid is present in an amount of at least 20 wt %. 
     
     
         22 . The water-dispersible composition according to  claim 14 , wherein the water content in the composition is reduced to less than 5 wt %. 
     
     
         23 . A method for colouring an edible or pharmaceutical product, comprising adding the water-dispersible composition according to  claim 1  to an edible or pharmaceutical product. 
     
     
         24 . An edible product comprising a water-dispersible composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         25 . A pharmaceutical product comprising a water-dispersible composition according to  claim 1 .