E140, also known as chlorophyll and chlorophyllin, is a group of natural green pigments found in plants, algae, and some bacteria. They cause a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other plant foods to appear green in color. Chlorophyll and chlorophyllin are commonly used as food colorants. Chlorophyll provides a green colorant with good thermal and photostability. Their color is also more resistant to change in acidic conditions and they have good water solubility.
Two forms of chlorophyll
E140i chlorophyll
- CAS number: 1406-65-1
E140ii Chlorophyllin
Chlorophyllin is a semi-synthetic chlorophyll produced by adding a mixture of sodium and copper salts.
- CAS:11006-34-1
name
- Chlorophyll
- Pheophytin and magnesium
- Magnesium Chlorophyll
- IC 75810
- CI natural green n°3
- Chlorophyll alpha
- Chlorophyll beta
- E140a
- Basic salt of chlorophyll
- Natural green CI no5
- IC 75815
- CI natural green n°5
- sodium chlorophyll
- Potassium chlorophyllin
- E140b
- Chlorophylles,
- Chlorophyllines,
- Phéophytine au magnésium,
- Chlorophylle,
- Chlorophylles magnésium,
- Vert naturel CI n°3,
- chlorophylle α,
- chlorophylle β,
- chlorophylle alpha,
- chlorophylle beta,
- sels basiques des chlorophyllines,
- Vert naturel CI no5,
- Vert naturel CI n°5,
- chlorophylline sodique,
- chlorophylline potassium,
- Chlorophyllines
Natural colouring
Chlorophyll is a natural pigment found in the chloroplasts of plant cells. They play a vital role in photosynthesis.
food coloring agent
Chlorophyll and chlorophyll are commonly used as food colorants to give a variety of food and beverage products a natural green hue. They are often added to food products such as sauces, candies, baked goods and beverages to enhance their visual appeal and mimic the color of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Category products
Found in the following products:
- snack
- candy
- Plant-based foods and beverages
- Sauce
- condiment
- plant-based spreads
- Guacamole
- drinks
- cookie
- Fruit food
- groceries
derived from plants
Chlorophyll and chlorophyll are often derived from plant sources such as spinach, parsley, and alfalfa. They are extracted from these plants using various methods, including solvent extraction and supercritical fluid extraction, and then purified to obtain the desired colorants.
regulatory approval
Chlorophyll and chlorophyll are generally considered safe (GRAS) by regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). They are approved for use as food colorants in many countries around the world, although there may be specific regulations regarding their maximum allowable content in food.
Precautions
While chlorophyll and chlorophyll are considered safe to eat, people with allergies or sensitivities to green vegetables may experience adverse reactions. As with all food additives, it is important to consume them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
