LycoRed ~ Tomat-O-Red®

FAIRFIELD, N.J.LycoRed developed new formulations of vegetarian red colorants as part of its Tomat-O-Red® line, which includes tomato lycopene color used in food and beverage applications.

The new formulations provide deeper red lycopene color with blue backgrounds, similar to the shades from carmine. This makes them a natural solution for food manufacturers who want to replace the insect-derived cochineal extract in their formulations. LycoRed will showcase the new lycopene color line at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) show in Chicago from July 13 to 16.

Tomat-O-Red® lycopene colorant formulations are available in liquid forms, and they are vegetarian and free from any allergenic components.

The advantage of these new formulations is their high stability across a wide range of pH levels, light conditions, high temperatures and also in the presence of vitamin C," Nir said. The drive to replace carmine is so intense, we had to develop natural color solutions for a wide range of applications in a short period. Our researchers developed color solutions that effectively match carmine shades and characteristics, while demonstrating the high stability parameters formulators seek."

Studies show lycopene benefits liver health and raises antioxidant levels in the skin to help eliminate skin roughness.