Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 of 9 March 2012 laying down specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (Text with EEA relevance) (c. 231)

ANNEX

E 140 (ii) CHLOROPHYLLINS

Synonyms	CI Natural Green 5; Sodium Chlorophyllin; Potassium Chlorophyllin
Definition	The alkali salts of chlorophyllins are obtained by the saponification of a solvent extract of strains of edible plant material, grass, lucerne and nettle. The saponification removes the methyl and phytol ester groups and may partially cleave the cyclopentenyl ring. The acid groups are neutralised to form the salts of potassium and/or sodium. Only the following solvents may be used for the extraction: acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, dichloromethane, carbon dioxide, methanol, ethanol, propan-2-ol and hexane.
Colour Index No	75815
Einecs	287-483-3
Chemical name	The major colouring principles in their acid forms are: 3-(10-carboxylato-4-ethyl-1,3,5,8-tetramethyl-9-oxo-2-vinylphorbin-7-yl)propionate (chlorophyllin a) and 3-(10-carboxylato-4-ethyl-3-formyl-1,5,8-trimethyl-9-oxo-2-vinylphorbin-7-yl)propionate (chlorophyllin b) Depending on the degree of hydrolysis the cyclopentenyl ring may be cleaved with the resultant production of a third carboxyl function. Magnesium complexes may also be present.
Chemical formula	Chlorophyllin a (acid form): C34H34N4O5 Chlorophyllin b (acid form): C34H32N4O6
Molecular weight	Chlorophyllin a: 578,68 Chlorophyllin b: 592,66 Each may be increased by 18 daltons if the cyclopentenyl ring is cleaved.
Assay	Content of total chlorophyllins is not less than 95 % of the sample dried at ca. 100 °C for 1 hour. 700 at ca. 405 nm in aqueous solution at pH 9 140 at ca. 653 nm in aqueous solution at pH 9
Description	Dark green to blue/black powder
Identification
Spectrometry	Maximum in aqueous phosphate buffer at pH 9 at ca. 405 nm and at ca. 653 nm
Purity
Solvent residues	Acetone	Not more than 50 mg/kg, singly or in combination
	Methyl ethyl ketone
	Methanol
	Ethanol
	Propan-2-ol
	Hexane
	Dichloromethane:	not more than 10 mg/kg
Arsenic	Not more than 3 mg/kg
Lead	Not more than 10 mg/kg
Mercury	Not more than 1 mg/kg
Cadmium	Not more than 1 mg/kg