| abstract |
the present invention provides a texturizing and coloring agent derived from plants, said agent comprising a vegetable carotenoid pigment and fibrous vegetable matter containing pectin, both of which have been recovered together from the same starting plant material, and an antioxidant, wherein the fibrous vegetable matter containing pectin can give texture to an aqueous composition, the carotenoid can give color to an aqueous composition and the antioxidant is present in an amount effective to prevent the degradation of a substantial part of the carotenoid, thus maintaining the color of the agent. methods for preparing the texturizing and coloring agent are also provided and their use for texturing and coloring compositions of foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics or personal hygiene. |