An improved pigment composition containing an anthocyanin pigment and a pigment-improving agent selected from the group consisting of flavonoid glycuronides, flavonoid glucuronides, and caffeic acid derivatives. The pigment-improving agents deepen and improve the intensity of the anthocyanin pigment and increase its stability in the presence of light, heat and/or pH.

The production and use of a high-intensity red natural colorant prepared from an anthocyanin derived from the cell line of Daucus carota (carrot) is described. The production of the high-intensity red natural colorant comprises the cultivation of Daucus carota in a cell tissue culture. Carrot cells are extracted from the cell tissue culture after subculturing and a suitable growth period. The extract is then purified in order to isolate the anthocyanin found in the carrot cells. The anthocyanin is then concentrated to produce the red natural colorant of the invention. The natural colorant produced is stable over a wide pH range under various conditions. The natural colorant is useful as a coloring agent for food products, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

A blue anthocyanin and granulated sugar composition, in which a hard coated confectionery item comprising a core and at least one layer of the composition are provided together with a process for manufacturing the hard coated confectionery item and a syrup containing blue anthocyanin, and a process for stabilizing blue anthocyanin, by incorporation with granulated sugar.

A method of making a red pigmented composition is disclosed which includes (a) preparing an aqueous extract of Garcinia indica fruit comprising at least one red colorant; (b) treating the extract with a cation exchange resin so that one or more red colorant associates with the resin; (c) eluting the red colorant from the resin with an eluting solution containing one or more alcohol such as methanol, ethanol and isopropanol and one or more acid such as hydrochloric acid, citric acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid and hydroxy citric acid to yield a red-colored eluate; (d) collecting and concentrating the eluate to provide a concentrate; and (e) adding an antioxidant agent and/or placing the concentrate in an aseptic container in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. A combination comprising the resulting stabilized Garcinia extract in aseptic packaging in a non-oxidizing atmosphere is also disclosed, along with methods of use.

The production and use of a stable ruby red natural colorant prepared from an anthocyanin derived from purple hulled sunflower is described. The production of the ruby red natural colorant comprises the extraction of anthocyanin with an organically acidified aqueous solution and separating the extract from residual material. The extract can be concentrated to produce a ruby red concentrate. The natural colorant produced is stable over a wide pH range and upon exposure to light and elevated temperatures. The natural colorant is useful as a coloring agent for food products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other materials.