High Demand for Carotenoids, Anthocyanin, and Paprika in the Food Processing Industry

Natural food colours are being widely adopted by the food processing industry, owing to high demand from consumers. Rising awareness levels among consumers has prompted the leading food processing companies to incorporate more natural colours in the offerings. In this research paper, we will take a look at various natural colour on the basis of their type and their end-use applications. 

The various types of natural food colours include, 

• Carotenoid
• Curcumin
• Anthocyanin
• Paprika
• Spirulina
• Chlorophyll
• Others (Betalains, Carmines, etc.) 

Among these natural food colour types, carotenoids, anthocyanin, and paprika extract are witnessing bulk of the demand from the end-user industries. Let’s take a look at these colour types in detail. 

Carotenoid 

Lycopene, a carotenoid, is fast replacing carmine from the end-user industries owing to the negative perception related to the latter. Lycopene has emerged as a feasible alternative to potential colouring pigment for pink, red, and orange hues at various pH and temperatures. 

Consumers have become more aware about the benefits of vitamins and antioxidants, and as carotenoids are rich in these, manufacturers are incorporating these in their products. Currently, beta carotene is the preferred choice for yellow/orange hues for fortified food producers as it imparts a number of health benefits. 

One of the key concerns for manufacturers regarding carotenoids has been its pH instability. However, as advancement in technology makes it easier to extract these colours, carotenoids are expected to become the preferred choice for yellow, orange, and red colour. Carotenoids currently account for the largest share in the global natural food colours market. 

Anthocyanin 

Anthocyanin has quickly become a preferred natural colour for pink/violet shades. Anthocyanin is extracted from black/purple carrot, purple corn, red cabbage, and purple sweet potatoes. Food manufacturers are blending anthocyanin with acidulants to ensure that it does not lose its natural colour under extreme pH values. Anthocyanin account for a value of US$ 246 Mn in 2013. 

Paprika Extract 

One of the key factors for the robust demand for paprika extract is its high stability under varied pH levels. Owing to this, the demand for paprika extract is high in the beverage segment. 

In order to ensure that paprika extract does not fade during food processing, manufacturers are adopting microencapsulation techniques. Also, to prevent paprika from becoming rancid and off-flavour, food processors are blending it with antioxidants. 

Paprika is made from air-dried fruits of the chilli-pepper family. These fruits grow in Asia and Central Europe. There is a noticeable difference in the taste of paprika grown in these two countries; the paprika grown in Asia is hot and spicy in flavour, whereas the Central European paprika is sweet. 

Paprika-based colours revenue is accounted to be worth US$ 207.1 Mn by 2020, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% during the period 2014-2020. 

The major end-use application segments of natural food colours include, 

• Beverages
• Packaged food
• Confectionary and bakery items
• Dairy products
• Others (pet food, condiments, functional foods, etc.) 

Pet food, condiments, and functional foods account for the bulk of the demand for natural food colours. The pet food industry is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% during the forecast period 2014-2020, and reach a valuation of US$ 156.2 Mn by 2020. On the other hand, the functional food segment of the natural food colours market is forecasted to expand at a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period. 

The demand for natural food colours is also robust in the beverages and packaged food sector. Demand for ready-to-drink fruit juices industry is one of the main contributors of demand for natural food colours in the beverage segment. 

In the packaged food sector, proliferation of modern retail segments in the emerging markets is providing a boost to the demand for natural food colours. The packaged food segment, valued at US$ 212 Mn in 2014, is anticipated to reach US$ 317.6 Mn by 2020.

Browse Full: "Global Natural Food Colours Market Analysis & Opportunity Assessment, 2014 - 2020" Report at http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/details/global-natural-food-colours-market