Characterisation of sugar beet pectin fractions providing enhanced stability of anthocyanin-based natural blue food colourants

The bathochromic effect resulting from the addition of sugar beet pectin (SBP) to black currant juice, purified anthocyanins (ACN-E) and purified polyphenol extracts comprising both anthocyanins and non-anthocyanin phenolics (PP-E), respectively, were monitored by VIS spectroscopy at varying pH relevant to food formulations (pH 3.6–5.0). Furthermore, a low molecular pectic polysaccharide fraction (PPF) was isolated from SBP using 70% aqueous 2-propanol and further characterised with respect to its chemical composition and mineral content. The marked bathochromic effect was found to be due to the formation of anthocyanin–metal chelate complexes. Only at pH 5.0 SBP entailed a moderate bathochromic shift of 12 nm in model solutions containing ACN-E. This effect was enhanced in PPF model solutions resulting in a λ_max shift up to 50 nm, bringing about an intense blue colour. The bathochromic shift was boosted with increasing pH and upon purification of the anthocyanins. In contrast, after SBP and PPF addition to black currant juice, the bathochromic effect was almost annihilated. Model solutions were stored at 20 °C in the dark for 12 days, and optimum stability of the blue colour was observed at pH 5.0.