Paprika oleoresin (also known as paprika extract and oleoresin paprika) is an oil-soluble extract from the fruits of ''

Capsicum annuum ''Capsicum annuum'' is a species of the plant genus ''Capsicum'' native to southern North America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. This species is the most common and extensively cultivated of the five domesticated capsicums. The spec ...

'' or ''

Capsicum frutescens ''Capsicum frutescens'' is a wild chili pepper having genetic proximity to the cultivated pepper ''Capsicum chinense'' native to Central and South America. Pepper cultivars of ''C. frutescens'' can be annual or short-lived perennial plants. Fl ...

'', and is primarily used as a colouring and/or flavouring in food products. It is composed of

vegetable oil Vegetable oils, or vegetable fats, are oils extracted from seeds or from other parts of fruits. Like animal fats, vegetable fats are ''mixtures'' of triglycerides. Soybean oil, grape seed oil, and cocoa butter are examples of seed oils, or f ...

(often in the range of 97% to 98%),

capsaicin Capsaicin (8-methyl-''N''-vanillyl-6-nonenamide) ( or ) is an active component of chili peppers, which are plants belonging to the genus ''Capsicum''. It is a chemical irritant for mammals, including humans, and produces a sensation of burnin ...

, the main flavouring compound giving

pungency Pungency () refers to the taste of food commonly referred to as spiciness, hotness or heat, found in foods such as chili peppers. Highly pungent tastes may be experienced as unpleasant. The term piquancy () is sometimes applied to foods with a l ...

in higher concentrations, and

capsanthin Capsanthin is a natural red dye of the xanthophyll class of carotenoids. As a food coloring, it has the E number E160c(i). Capsanthin is the main carotenoid in the ''Capsicum annuum'' species of plants including red bell pepper, New Mexico chile ...

and

capsorubin Capsorubin is a natural red dye of the xanthophyll class. As a food coloring, it has the E number E160c(ii). Capsorubin is a carotenoid found in red bell pepper (''Capsicum annuum'') and a component of paprika oleoresin Paprika oleoresin (als ...

, the main colouring compounds (among other carotenoids). It is much milder than

capsicum oleoresin Pepper spray, oleoresin capsicum spray, OC spray, capsaicin spray, or capsicum spray is a lachrymatory agent (a compound that irritates the eyes to cause a burning sensation, pain, and temporary blindness) used in policing, riot control, cr ...

, often containing no capsaicin at all. Extraction is performed by percolation with a variety of solvents, primarily

hexane Hexane () is an organic compound, a straight-chain alkane with six carbon atoms and has the molecular formula C6H14. It is a colorless liquid, odorless when pure, and with boiling points approximately . It is widely used as a cheap, relatively ...

, which are removed prior to use. Vegetable oil is then added to ensure a uniform color saturation.

Uses

Foods colored with paprika oleoresin include cheese, orange juice, spice mixtures, sauces, sweets, ketchup, soups, fish fingers, chips, pastries, fries, dressings, seasonings, jellies, bacon, ham, ribs, and among other foods even cod fillets. In poultry feed, it is used to deepen the colour of egg yolks. In the United States, paprika oleoresin is listed as a color additive “exempt from certification”. In Europe, paprika oleoresin (extract), and the compounds capsanthin and capsorubin are designated by E160c.

Names and CAS nos

{, class="wikitable" , - ! Trivial Name ! Preferred{{Citation needed, date=May 2020 Name ! AutoNom Name ! Cas No. , - , Capsaicin , 8-Methyl-N-vanillyl-trans-6-nonenamide , (E)-8-Methyl-non-6-enoic acid 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzylamide , 404-86-4 , - , Capsanthin , (all-E,3R,3'S,5'R)-3,3'-dihydroxy-β,κ-caroten-6'-one , (2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E,18E)-19-((R)-4-Hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-1-enyl)-1-((1R,4S)-4-hydroxy-1,2,2-trimethylcyclopentyl)-4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-nonadeca-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-nonaen-1-one , 465-42-9 , - , Capsorubin , (all-E,3S,3'S,5R,5'R)-3,3'-dihydroxy-κ,κ-carotene-6,6'-dione , (2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E,18E)-1,20-Bis-((1R,4S)-4-hydroxy-1,2,2-trimethyl-cyclopentyl)-4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-icosa-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-nonaene-1,20-dione , 470-38-2

References

Flavors Food science Oleoresin E-number additives