The brand new algae-derived blue dye provides meals producers a vibrant and secure various to artificial colourants and emulsifiers.
Alireza Abbaspourrad, left, the Yongkeun Joh Affiliate Professor of Meals Chemistry and Ingredient Expertise, and Qike Li work in Abbaspourrad’s lab. Credit score: Sreang Hok/Cornell College
Meals scientists at Cornell College have developed a pure blue meals dye from algae protein that might supply a secure and vibrant various to artificial colourants.
Published on 24 July in Food Hydrocolloids, the research reveals how phycocyanin (PC), a protein derived from spirulina algae, has been developed right into a practical, clean-label ingredient able to changing each artificial dyes and emulsifiers in meals formulations.
Qike Li, lead writer and a doctoral candidate within the lab of Professor Alireza Abbaspourrad, stated:
Customers don’t need synthetic elements of their meals.
They need one thing more healthy and extra pure. Particularly, they need to see a ‘clear label,’ which is a serious cause we’ve chosen to work to extend the performance of phycocyanin as a colorant and emulsifier.”
The problem with phycocyanin has lengthy been its lack of stability, as it’s delicate to warmth throughout processing and to gentle throughout storage. To deal with this, the Cornell crew broke the protein into smaller, extra uniform particles utilizing a denaturant. These new buildings confirmed improved emulsifying properties whereas sustaining a vibrant blue color.
To analyse the modified protein, the researchers used small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), a method that enables them to check molecular buildings on the nanoscale.
Professor Abbaspourrad, who’s the Yongkeun Joh Affiliate Professor of Meals Chemistry and Ingredient Expertise within the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, stated:
It’s like utilizing a magnifying glass to see and perceive modifications in protein construction.
Our intention is to extend the performance of phycocyanin as a colorant, emulsifier and antioxidant, in order that on the listing of elements, it may change a number of artificial gadgets.”
Trade push for options
The event comes at a pivotal time. A number of US states have launched laws to ban artificial dyes similar to Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2 and Pink No. 40, citing well being issues. Earlier this year, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a plan to part out many synthetic dyes from meals and medicines by the top of 2026.
In parallel, the US Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a number of natural alternatives, together with gardenia blue, calcium phosphate, galdieria extract blue and butterfly pea flower extract. Nevertheless, creating a real pure blue dye stays a scientific problem, as blue pigments are uncommon in nature. The blue seen within the sky or on butterfly wings is commonly as a consequence of structural gentle reflection somewhat than pigment.
Crude protein extracts of spirulina, the place PC is a key element, are more and more being studied and included into meals. PC is already used as an alternative to synthetic blue colouring in M&Ms. However the Cornell crew believes its enhanced model of PC provides larger performance and broader business potential.
The crew’s subsequent step is to scale up manufacturing in partnership with business, bringing this colourant nearer to business use.
