E 160 a (iii) BETA-CAROTENE FROM Blakeslea trispora
Synonyms | CI Food Orange 5 | |
Definition | Obtained by a fermentation process using a mixed culture of the two sexual mating types (+) and (–) of strains of the fungus Blakeslea trispora. The beta-carotene is extracted from the biomass with ethyl acetate or isobutyl acetate followed by propan-2-ol and crystallised. The crystallised product consists mainly of trans beta-carotene. Because of the natural process approximately 3 % of the product consists of mixed carotenoids, which is specific for the product. | |
Colour Index No | 40800 | |
Einecs | 230-636-6 | |
Chemical name | Beta-carotene; beta, beta-carotene | |
Chemical formula | C40H56 | |
Molecular weight | 536,88 | |
Assay | Not less than 96 % total colouring matters (expressed as beta-carotene) | |
Description | Red, brownish-red or purple-violet crystals or crystalline powder (colour varies according to extraction solvent used and conditions of crystallisation) | |
Identification | ||
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Spectrometry | Maximum in cyclohexane at 453 nm to 456 nm | |
Purity | ||
Solvent residues | Ethyl acetate | Not more than 0,8 %, singly or in combination |
Ethanol | ||
Isobutyl acetate: Not more than 1,0 % | ||
Propan-2-ol: Not more than 0,1 % | ||
Sulphated ash | Not more than 0,2 % | |
Subsidiary colouring matters | Carotenoids other than beta-carotene: not more than 3,0 % of total colouring matters | |
Lead | Not more than 2 mg/kg | |
Microbiological criteria | ||
Moulds | Not more than 100 colonies per gram | |
Yeasts | Not more than 100 colonies per gram | |
Salmonella spp. | Absent in 25 g | |
Escherichia coli | Absent in 5 g |