What is Monascus Red?
Monascus red refers to a liquid monascus pigment obtained by extracting red yeast rice with ethanol or a product obtained by extraction, crystallization, and purification from a deep culture solution of Monascus. Monascus red pigment is a traditional natural food colorant produced by Monascus ferment in China. It has multiple advantages such as "nutrition, natural and multifunctional".
Application of Monascus Red
1.Food industry
Meat Product
Application: It can be used to replace nitrite for coloring sausages, hams, cured meats, etc., giving them a natural and lustrous red color.
Advantage: inhibition of lipid oxidation and prolong the shelf life (monascus pigment oxidation resistance).
Reference usage: 0.1 to 0.3 g/kg (according to Chinese standard GB 2760).
Condiments industry
Application: Use fermented bean curd, soy sauce and broad bean paste to enhance color and visual appeal.
Note: to select salt-tolerant type monascus red (avoid precipitation precipitation conditions).
Baking and Beverages
Baking: Red velvet cakes, cookies (as an alternative to artificial red pigments such as carre). Drinks, fruit juices, dairy, toning, adaptation neutral to weak acid environment (pH 4 to 6 color is best).
As food supplements and natural pigment, it is widely used in food industry. It can be used in cold drinks, instant rice and noodle products, jams, baked goods, cool fruits, condiments, decorative fruits and vegetables, beverages, mixed wine, fried nuts and seeds, jellies, cocoa products, chocolate and chocolate products and confectionery, pickled vegetables, ready-to-eat cereals,puffed foods,mixed milk powder and mixed cream powder, flour balls.
2.Medicines and health supplements
As raw materials of drugs for lowering blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease, it is mainly used in pharmaceutical field;Drug coating: The outer shells of tablets and capsules are colored to avoid the risk of allergies caused by synthetic pigments. Functional foods:, with the red yeast rice extract for lipid class health products (need to make a clear distinction between pigment and active ingredient Monacolin K).As active ingredient of products for improving blood circulation and benefiting stomach, it is mainly used in health product industry;
3.Cosmetics
Makeup: Natural pigment sources for lipstick, blush and eyeshadow (subject to skin irritation test). Skincare products: some high-end products used in color (e.g., natural facial mask, elite fluid), but less application.
4.Other industries
Textile dyeing: Experimental eco-friendly dyeing for natural fibers (such as cotton and silk), but the cost is relatively high.
Scientific research reagents: as a biological stain or indicator (such as microbial culture medium color).
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