Natural Black Coloring Composition With Heat and pH Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing natural black coloring compositions derived from Genipa americana, such as those disclosed in U.S. RE46,695, US2021292567A1, WO2023148090A2, EP2346948, EP2872567, and EP2999750, lack sufficient coloring performance, physical and chemical stability, and are not heat and pH stable, while Spirulina-based compositions are costly and unstable.

Innovation Solution

A binary or ternary mixture of genipin-glycine, a pigment derived from Genipa americana, combined with co-pigments like beta-carotene, annatto, turmeric, red beet, or anthocyanins, creates a stable and heat-resistant black coloring composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If natural black coloring compositions are derived from Genipa americana using conventional methods, then natural coloring is achieved, but coloring performance and stability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoloring performance and stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines genipin-glycine pigment with multiple co-pigments (anthocyanins, carotenoids, betalains) to create a composite coloring composition. This composite approach enhances coloring performance and stability while maintaining natural origins, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes specific parameters including pH range (2-8), temperature stability (up to 121°C pasteurization), and component ratios to achieve superior coloring performance. By controlling these parameters, the composition maintains stability without requiring complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If Spirulina is used as starting material for black natural coloring compositions, then natural coloring is achieved, but cost and stability disadvantages occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive Spirulina with more economical natural pigments including genipin-glycine from Genipa americana, anthocyanins from fruits and vegetables, carotenoids from plant sources, and betalains from beets. These alternative natural pigments achieve comparable or superior stability at lower cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If existing Genipa americana-based compositions are used, then natural origin is maintained, but heat and pH stability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat and pH stabilityVSAvoidapplication range
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves enhanced heat and pH stability by optimizing the composition to withstand pH 2-8 and temperatures up to 121°C during pasteurization. This parameter optimization expands the application range to include various food products requiring thermal processing and pH adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The combination of multiple natural pigment types (genipin-glycine, anthocyanins, carotenoids, betalains) creates a composite system where components complement each other's stability characteristics, enabling broader application versatility across different food matrices and processing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If binary or ternary mixtures of genipin-glycine with co-pigments are used, then coloring performance is improved, but composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoloring performanceVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent assigns specific functional roles to different pigment components: genipin-glycine provides base color, anthocyanins contribute to hue variation, carotenoids enhance warmth, and betalains add depth. This functional differentiation achieves superior coloring performance while maintaining a manageable composition structure through defined roles for each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The compositions achieve improved coloring performance, physical, chemical, and microbiological stability, providing a low chroma and lightness, suitable for various food, feed, and drink applications.

Implementation Method 1

A binary or ternary mixture of a huito-based composition, preferably genipin-glycine, produces a black with both low lightness and low chroma, also referred to as L and C in the LCH model

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCo-pigmentation:

Data Source

PatentEP4647467A1Natural black coloring compositions
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 OTERRA AS
  • EP4647467A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP4647467A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3
  • EP4647467A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A natural black coloring composition comprising a pigment derived from Genipa americana, preferably genipin-glycine; and one or more co-pigments