Capsanthin

Capsanthin (CAS 465-42-9), also marketed under the colorant designation E160c, is a natural red-orange carotenoid pigment extracted primarily from red peppers.

Where is Capsanthin used?

• Food manufacturing: colors processed meats, sauces, soups, and snack seasonings with a consistent red-to-orange hue without synthetic dyes
• Dairy and confectionery: cheese coatings, butter, and hard candies for natural-label color compliance
• Beverages: heat- and light-stable pigmentation in emulsified drink formulations
• Cosmetics: colorant in lip products, blushes, and skin-toning preparations
• It also provides antioxidant stabilization.

Commercial specifications

• Concentration expressed as ASTA color units or percentage carotenoid content depending on grade
• Food-grade oleoresin grades conforming to E160c specifications
• Standardized extracts meeting FCC or EU food additive purity criteria