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 fruiting plant from the family Solanaceae (nightshades), within the genus Capsicum which is native to the northern regions of South America and to southwestern North America. The plant produces Berry, berries of many color ...

'' or ''

Capsicum frutescens ''Capsicum frutescens'' is a wild chili pepper having plant genetics, genetic proximity to the cultivated pepper ''Capsicum chinense'' native to Central America, Central and South America. Pepper cultivars of ''C. frutescens'' can be annual or sh ...

'', 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 edible plants. Like animal fats, vegetable fats are ''mixtures'' of triglycerides. Soybean oil, grape seed oil, and cocoa butter are examples of seed ...

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 (also ...

, the main colouring compounds (among other

carotenoid Carotenoids () are yellow, orange, and red organic pigments that are produced by plants and algae, as well as several bacteria, archaea, and fungi. Carotenoids give the characteristic color to pumpkins, carrots, parsnips, corn, tomatoes, cana ...

s). Commercial products are generally standardized to contain 7% total caretinoids. It is much milder than

capsicum oleoresin Pepper spray, oleoresin capsicum spray, OC spray, capsaicin spray, mace, or capsicum spray is a lachrymator (tear gas) product containing as its active ingredient the chemical compound capsaicin, which irritates the eyes with burning and pain ...

, often containing relatively little

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

. Extraction is performed by percolation with a variety of solvents, primarily

hexane Hexane () or ''n''-hexane is an organic compound, a straight-chain alkane with six carbon atoms and the molecular formula C6H14. Hexane is a colorless liquid, odorless when pure, and with a boiling point of approximately . It is widely used as ...

, 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