Study on Extraction and Stability of Red Pigment from Crataegus pinnatifide

Extraction of red pigment from five Cratageus pinnatifide was performed in present study,and stability analysis on the red pigment under different conditions was also systematically investigated.The results showed that the concentration of red pigment was highest in ‘Tianbao’ among the five hawthorn varieties.The performance of hawthorn red pigment was stable in acid condition,while it varies under strong base environment.The heat resistance of red pigment was excellent when temperature was below 60℃,and it would be dark and turbid under high temperatures.The oxidant and reducer could cause the degradation of the red pigment.At the same time,the citric acid and oxalic acid increase the absorbance value of the red pigment obviously,whereas the ascorbic acid reduced the absorbance value.The red pigment remains stable in the solutions rich in carbohydrate,K+,Ca2+,Al3+,etc.and Fe3+ promoted the absorbance value vastly.