Beetroot Red (Beetroot Extract Color): Benefits, Uses, Specifications & Applications Guide
For International Buyers, Distributors, Food & Beverage Manufacturers, Dietary Supplement Brands, and Ingredient Importers
1. Product Overview
Beetroot Red (also known as Beet Red, Beetroot Extract Color, or Beetroot Pigment) is a natural food coloring derived from Beta vulgaris L. roots. It is rich in betalains—primarily betanin, a water-soluble pigment providing bright red to purple hues.
As a clean-label coloring solution, Beetroot Red is widely used in food & beverage, nutraceutical, sports nutrition, functional foods, confectionery, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical coatings.
2. Botanical Source
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Latin Name: Beta vulgaris L.
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Plant Part Used: Root
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Extraction Method: Water extraction + concentration + spray drying
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Active Pigments: Betalains (Betanin)
3. Key Benefits & Functional Properties
(1) Natural Coloring Function
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Produces bright red/pink to purple hues depending on pH.
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Stable in low-fat foods, frozen applications, beverages, and powder blends.
(2) Antioxidant Support
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Betalains exhibit strong free-radical scavenging capacity (PubMed studies available).
(3) Clean-Label & Regulatory Friendly
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100% plant-based
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Non-GMO
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Allergen-free
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Suitable for vegan and vegetarian products
(4) Health Benefits Backed by Research
Scientific literature indicates beet pigments may support:
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Healthy nitric oxide levels (sports performance)
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Cardiovascular health
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Anti-inflammatory activity
(See references section for PubMed links)
4. Traditional & Modern Applications
Traditional Uses
Beetroot has long been consumed as a food coloring and nutritive vegetable in Europe and the Middle East.
Modern Industrial Uses
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Functional beverages
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Energy drinks & pre-workout formulas
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Gummies & soft chews
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Bakery & confectionery
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Plant-based meat coloring
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Capsules & tablets coating
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Cosmetics (lip tint, blush)
5. Suggested Usage & Dosage
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Food Coloring: 0.05–1% depending on product.
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Beverages: 0.01–0.5%
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Nutraceuticals: 50–300 mg per serving
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Cosmetics: Based on formulation testing
Dosage varies by color intensity, matrix pH, temperature, and processing conditions.
6. Product Specifications (COA-Style)
6.1 General Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Dark red to purple fine powder |
| Odor | Characteristic aroma |
| Solubility | Water-soluble |
| Betalains Content | ≥ XX% (UV/HPLC) |
| Moisture | ≤ 7.0% |
| Particle Size | 80–120 mesh |
| Carrier | Maltodextrin (optional) |
| Shelf Life | 24 months |
6.2 Pesticide Residue – Full List
| No. | Pesticide Name | Limit (mg/kg) | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acetochlor | ≤ 0.05 | GC-MS/MS |
| 2 | Atrazine | ≤ 0.02 | GC-MS/MS |
| 3 | Chlorpyrifos | ≤ 0.01 | GC-MS/MS |
| 4 | Cypermethrin | ≤ 0.01 | GC-MS/MS |
| 5 | Carbendazim | ≤ 0.01 | LC-MS/MS |
| 6 | Imidacloprid | ≤ 0.02 | LC-MS/MS |
| 7 | Metalaxyl | ≤ 0.02 | LC-MS/MS |
| 8 | Multi-residue screening (≥ 500 pesticides) | Complies | GB/T or EU 396 Standards |
6.3 Heavy Metals Specification
| Item | Limit | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 2.0 mg/kg | ICP-MS |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 1.0 mg/kg | ICP-MS |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤ 1.0 mg/kg | ICP-MS |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤ 0.1 mg/kg | ICP-MS |
| Total Heavy Metals | ≤ 10 mg/kg | ICP-MS |
6.4 Microbiological Testing
| Item | Limit | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Total Plate Count | ≤ 10,000 cfu/g | GB / USP |
| Yeast & Mold | ≤ 300 cfu/g | GB / USP |
| E. coli | Negative | GB / USP |
| Salmonella | Negative | GB / USP |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Negative | GB / USP |
| Coliforms | ≤ 10 cfu/g | GB / USP |
| Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) | ≤ 10 ppb | HPLC |
7. Production Technology & Manufacturing Process
7.1 Production Technology Advantages
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Low-temperature extraction to preserve betalains
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Advanced membrane filtration
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Spray drying for stable color
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In-house testing laboratory
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GMP, ISO, HACCP-compliant production
7.2 Production Flowchart
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Raw Beetroot Selection
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Washing & Cutting
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Water Extraction (Low Temp)
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Filtration & Concentration
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Color Stabilization
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Spray Drying
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Sieving & Blending
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Final QA/QC Testing
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Packing & Sealing
8. Storage & Shelf Life
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Store in cool, dry place, away from light and heat.
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Shelf Life: 24 months in original unopened packaging.
9. Packaging Options
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25 kg/drum, food-grade fiber drum
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Custom packaging available
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27 drums/pallet (export standard)
10. Sample Policy
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Free 20–50g samples available
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Courier freight can be collected
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COA, MSDS, Technical Data Sheet provided
11. Transportation & MOQ
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Shipping: Air, Sea, DHL/UPS/FedEx
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MOQ: 1 kg for trial orders, 25 kg for bulk
12. Applicable Industries & Use Cases
Industries
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Food & Beverage
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Nutraceuticals
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Dietary Supplements
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Confectionery
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Sports Nutrition
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Cosmetic & Personal Care
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Pharmaceutical Coating
Use Scenarios
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Flavored beverages
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Gummies, candies, desserts
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Energy drinks
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Functional foods
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Plant-based meat
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Capsules/tablets coating
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Skincare/makeup formulations
13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is Beetroot Red stable at high temperatures?
Heat may reduce color intensity; recommended temperatures < 80°C for best results.
2. What is the pH stability?
Best between pH 3–6; color shifts at alkaline pH.
3. Can this product be used in clear beverages?
Yes, but solubility and clarity depend on carrier and formulation.
4. Is it suitable for sports nutrition formulas?
Yes—beet pigments are popular in pre-workout products.
5. Do you offer OEM/private label service?
Yes, full customization available.
6. Does it comply with EU & FDA requirements?
Produced under standards aligned with FAO/WHO JECFA, EU 1333/2008, and FDA color additive regulations.
14. References (Research & Regulations)
(PubMed & official links)
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PubMed – Betalains antioxidant properties: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
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PubMed – Beetroot and nitric oxide metabolism: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
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FDA Color Additives Status List: https://www.fda.gov/
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EFSA Food Colors Regulation: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/
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NIH Beetroot Nutrition Research: https://www.nih.gov/
