BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL

CAS: 1107-26-2 COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT

**BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL** (CAS 1107-26-2) is a carotenoid food color additive used as a coloring adjunct in foods. It is structurally related to beta-carotene and appears as an orange-red compound that imparts color to fat-containing and other food products. It has been evaluated by international food additive safety committees, and specifications have been published for its use in food formulations. It has an INS number of 160e and a Colour Index designation of Food Orange 6. It has been the subject of regulatory and safety evaluations in multiple jurisdictions to assess its safety for use as a food additive. This additive is naturally occurring in some fruits and vegetables and is commonly included in colorant formulations to enhance the aesthetic appeal of processed foods.

What It Is

BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL is a carotenoid compound used as a color or coloring adjunct in food products, identified by the CAS number 1107-26-2 and INS number 160e, also referred to in Colour Index nomenclature as Food Orange 6. It is part of a class of naturally derived plant pigments that contribute orange to red hues in foods. β-Apo-8'-carotenal is chemically related to beta-carotene but differs in structure by the presence of an aldehyde functional group at the 8' position, giving rise to distinct physical and chemical properties relevant to its use as a food additive. These properties include being oil soluble and capable of imparting vivid coloration to fat-based and emulsion-type foods. As a food additive, BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL has a long history of identification in food safety literature and regulatory databases, where it is characterized by specific specifications regarding purity, composition, and functional performance. Its carotenoid backbone also places it in the broader context of provitamin A carotenoids, although the efficiency and metabolic conversion rate to vitamin A activity are not the same as for beta-carotene. The World Health Organization's JECFA database provides identification and evaluation data for this substance, detailing its functional class as a color additive and associated safety evaluations. This compound is encountered in food regulation frameworks around the world, including the United States and European Union, where scientific bodies have assessed its safety and established guidance values for intake and use levels. Its role as a colorant is to provide appealing visual qualities to food products without substantially altering flavor or nutritional content.

How It Is Made

The production of BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL for use in food typically involves the controlled oxidation of beta-carotene, a naturally occurring pigment extracted from plant sources. Beta-carotene is subjected to oxidative cleavage under conditions that favor the formation of the 8'-apo derivative, yielding BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL as the main product. After synthesis, the material undergoes purification steps to meet food additive specifications, ensuring that the final product achieves defined purity levels and minimal levels of impurities. Commercial preparations are often formulated with carriers such as edible oils or emulsifiers to improve dispersibility in food systems. These formulated preparations may include a defined percentage of the all-trans isomer, along with minor amounts of related carotenoids, consistent with international specifications for food color additives. The FAO/WHO combined compendium of food additive specifications provides detailed monographs outlining the required minimum content of BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL in commercial preparations, as well as the acceptable levels of subsidiary colorants and related compounds. Production processes are designed to maintain stability and color performance, with attention to factors such as light and oxygen exposure, which can degrade carotenoid materials. Finished products are typically packaged in light-resistant containers under an inert atmosphere to preserve color integrity. The process and specifications are set to ensure that the additive performs consistently in food formulations while meeting safety and regulatory requirements.

Why It Is Used In Food

BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL is used in food primarily for its coloring properties, contributing orange to red hues that enhance the visual appeal of processed foods. Visual appearance is an important aspect of consumer perception, and color additives like BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL help manufacturers achieve consistent and desirable color outcomes across a wide range of product categories. Beyond appearance, the compound's compatibility with fat-based systems makes it particularly useful in products such as margarines, sauces, dressings, and dairy-based desserts, where oil-soluble pigments impart stable coloration. Its inclusion in food formulations helps maintain uniformity and attractiveness, especially in products where natural variation in color might otherwise occur due to raw material differences. The use of defined color additives also contributes to product standardization in manufacturing, allowing for repeatable quality and consumer expectations. Food technologists choose additives like BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL based on performance criteria including solubility, stability during processing (e.g., heat, pH changes), and compatibility with other ingredients in the formulation.

Adi Example Calculation

For illustrative purposes only, consider a hypothetical adult consumer weighing 70 kilograms. Applying the upper bound of the established ADI range for BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL (0.3 mg per kilogram body weight), this individual could theoretically consume up to 21 mg of the additive per day without exceeding the guidance value (70 kg x 0.3 mg/kg). This calculation is purely illustrative and does not imply that such intake levels are typical or advisable, but rather demonstrates how the ADI framework can be applied to estimate safe intake thresholds based on body weight and regulatory benchmarks.

Safety And Health Research

Safety evaluations of BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL have been conducted by regulatory bodies including the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and the European Food Safety Authority. JECFA reviewed toxicological data and established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0-0.3 mg per kilogram body weight, taking into account study results that identified no-observed-adverse-effect levels in animal studies and applying an uncertainty factor to protect human health. EFSA has also evaluated the additive, including assessments of genotoxicity and subchronic toxicity, as part of a broader review of carotenoid colorants. These evaluations considered the metabolic fate of the compound, its absorption, and potential effects observed in experimental studies, concluding that specified uses and levels in food do not raise safety concerns when regulatory limits are observed. Ongoing research and regulatory reviews help ensure that the safety profile of this compound remains consistent with current scientific understanding and consumer exposure scenarios, with updates incorporated into international specifications and national regulations.

Regulatory Status Worldwide

In the United States, BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL is listed as a color additive exempt from batch certification under 21 CFR 73.90, indicating that it is permitted for use in foods without the requirement for batch-by-batch certification by the FDA; this regulatory entry describes its permitted status and labeling requirements, but does not specify quantitative limits. In the European Union, this compound is authorized as a food color additive with the designation E 160e under EU food additive regulations, and having been the subject of scientific opinions by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on its safety and exposure levels. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has also evaluated BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL and established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) range of 0-0.3 mg per kilogram body weight based on toxicological studies, reflecting the committee's assessment of available data and application of uncertainty factors. These evaluations inform international standards in the FAO/WHO combined compendium of food additive specifications and support regulatory decisions in multiple countries.

Taste And Functional Properties

BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL itself has minimal impact on the taste profile of foods, as its primary function is color delivery rather than flavor enhancement. In sensory evaluations, the compound imparts visual cues without contributing strong flavor notes, allowing it to complement product formulations without altering expected taste characteristics. From a functional standpoint, its solubility profile favors dispersion in lipid-rich environments and emulsified systems, which is consistent with its use in products where fat content is significant. Its stability under typical food processing conditions, including moderate heat and varying pH environments, contributes to its utility as a coloring adjunct. However, like other carotenoids, it can be sensitive to light and oxidative conditions, and appropriate handling and formulation strategies are applied to preserve color intensity. In application, BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL provides vibrant coloration that can remain consistent throughout shelf life when appropriately protected against degradation. Its functional properties are valued in product categories where consistent color delivery is important for consumer acceptability.

Acceptable Daily Intake Explained

An Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is a regulatory benchmark that represents the amount of a substance that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risk, based on available toxicological data and the application of safety factors. For BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) established an ADI range of 0-0.3 mg per kilogram body weight, reflecting the upper bound of safe intake derived from experimental studies and uncertainty adjustments. It is important to note that an ADI is not a recommendation for consumption, but rather a conservative guidance value used by risk assessors and regulators when setting allowable use levels in foods. The application of uncertainty factors accounts for differences between test animals and humans, as well as variability within human populations. Consumers are unlikely to exceed this intake level when eating foods with permitted amounts of this additive under normal dietary patterns.

Comparison With Similar Additives

BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL can be compared with other carotenoid-based food colorants such as beta-carotene (E 160a) and capsanthin (E 160c), which are also used to impart orange to red hues in food products. Beta-carotene is commonly used in a broader range of food applications, especially in products where vitamin A activity is a consideration; its safety and regulatory status have been evaluated extensively with established ADI values. Capsanthin, another red carotenoid colorant derived from paprika, has distinct spectral properties and functional uses in certain food categories. While all of these additives serve similar roles in coloring foods, their chemical structures, solubility, and stability characteristics vary, influencing how formulators choose one over another depending on the food matrix and desired visual outcome. Regulatory assessments also differ, with each compound having unique specifications and safety evaluations that guide permissible use levels in specific product categories.

Common Food Applications Narrative

BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL is incorporated into a range of food products where vibrant orange to red coloration is desired. In fat-based preparations such as margarines, dressings, and sauces, this additive helps achieve uniform and appealing color that aligns with consumer expectations. Its oil solubility contributes to even color distribution in these matrices, which are often challenging for water-soluble pigments. Beyond dressings and margarines, BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL finds use in products such as dairy desserts, processed cheese, confectionery items, and baked goods, where color consistency is central to product identity. In beverage applications, particularly those with emulsified or blended compositions, it can contribute to the desired hue without compromising clarity or texture. Manufacturers benefit from its use in achieving stable coloration across production batches and preserving intended appearance during shelf life. Food processors also apply this additive in snack foods and coatings to standardize visual appeal, particularly when raw ingredients might vary naturally in pigment content. By using prescribed levels of BETA-APO-8'-CAROTENAL, formulators ensure that final products meet regulatory limits for color additives while delivering consistent color performance for end consumers.

Safety & Regulations

FDA

  • Approved: True
  • Regulation: 21 CFR 73.90

EFSA

  • Approved: True
  • E Number: E160e
  • Adi Display: 0-0.3 mg per kg bw
  • Adi Mg Per Kg: 0.3

JECFA

  • Year: 2019
  • Ins Number: 160e
  • Adi Display: 0-0.3 mg per kg bw
  • Adi Mg Per Kg: 0.3

Sources

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