The present invention is directed to chewing gum comprising a formulation of canthaxanthin. The present invention is further directed to the formulation of canthaxanthin, as well as to a process for its manufacture. Further

embodiments of the present invention are a method of imparting chewing gum an ocher or red-brownish color, similar to the color of a mixture of E129 and E133, by adding a formulation of canthaxanthin to the chewing gum, as well as the use of a formulation of canthaxanthin as colorant for chewing gum.

There is increasing interest in the food industry to replace artificial materials for coloring foods with natural or nature identical colorants. Artificial materials such as Allura Red AC and Brilliant Blue, two azo dyes, which are also known under the name“Red 40”/“E129” and“E133”, respectively, are suspected of causing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

Furthermore, such dyes can trigger allergies and allergy-like syndromes. Thus, due to the increased health consciousness of consumers there is a trend towards the use of natural dyes or nature identical colors. Colors that are also animal-free and kosher/halal are especially desired.

A challenge in replacing artificial colorants with natural colorants in chewing gum has been in obtaining the stability of color characteristics provided by artificial colorants and to match the color of the product the consumer is already used to. Thus, it is important that a consistent visual quality of the product is guaranteed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a chewing gum that is color-stable, i.e. it does not color the tongue when chewed. That means that there is no bleeding of canthaxanthin. Surprisingly it has been found that canthaxanthin can be used to substitute a mixture of Allura Red AC and Brilliant Blue as ocher or red-brownish color (looking like“cinnamon”) in chewing gum. Thus, the chewing gum according to the present invention does preferably not contain any azo dye.

Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a chewing gum comprising a formulation of canthaxanthin.

The formulation of canthaxanthin prevents the canthaxanthin of being degraded, because the canthaxanthin in the formulation is encapsulated, preferably in a matrix of modified food starch and oil, whereby an antioxidant, water, a filler and/or a flow agent may optionally be present. Therefore, the chewing gum of the present invention does not contain pure canthaxanthin as such.

The chewing gum according to the present invention has a color similar to a chewing gum comprising a mixture of Allura Red Ac (E129) and Brilliant Blue (E133). It is color-stable, i.e. it does not color the tongue when chewed. That means there is no bleeding of canthaxanthin.

“Color-stable” in the context of the present invention means that the color difference DE* between the initial color and the color after a storage time of 3 months should be lower than 10 (DE* < 10). A DE* < 10 means that the color difference is in the acceptable area and under DE*<3 cannot be seen by naked eyes, i.e. without the use of an apparatus such as a colorimeter.

The chewing gum comprising a canthaxanthin formulation according to the present invention shows an ocher or red-brownish color. The color shade h of the chewing gum of the present invention is preferably in the range of from 29° to 45° , more preferably in the range of from 29° to 38° , at the CIELAB Color scale, when the chewing gum contains canthaxanthin in an amount in the range of from 5 to 90 ppm, preferably in an amount in the range of from 20 to 65 ppm, more preferably in the range of from 30 to 60 ppm, based on the total weight of the chewing gum.

Chewing gum

Typical ingredients for a chewing gum are:

_• A gum base for laminated chewing gum (stick type) e.g. Type Sierra by CAFOSA, Spain, preferably in an amount in the range of from 23 to 43 weight-%, more preferably in an amount in the range of from 28 to 38 weight-%, based on the total weight of the chewing gum;

_• a sugar alcohol such as sorbitol (E420), preferably in an amount in the range of from 26 to 46 weight-%, more preferably in an amount in the range of from 31 to 41 weight-%, based on the total weight of the chewing gum;

_• a second sugar alcohol such as Mannitol 60 powder (E421 ), preferably in an amount in the range of from 0.5 to 15 weight-%, more preferably in an amount in the range of from 1 to 10 weight-%, based on the total weight of the chewing gum;

_• an anti-cariogenic sugar replacement such as xylitol (E967), preferably in an amount in the range of from 5 to 25 weight-%, more preferably in an amount in the range of from 10 to 20 weight-%, based on the total weight of the chewing gum;

_• a plasticizer such as maltitol syrup (E965) (80% sweetness of sugar / 55% maltitol), e.g. commercially available as“Lycasin 80/55 cone.”, preferably in an amount in the range of from 0.5 to 15 weight-%, more preferably in an amount in the range of from 1 to 10 weight-%, based on the total weight of the chewing gum;

_• a humectant such as glycerol (E422), preferably in an amount in the range of from 0.1 to 14 weight-%, more preferably in an amount in the range of from 1 to 9 weight-%, based on the total weight of the chewing gum;

_• a liquid flavor, e.g. spearmint flavor (11762-34, Givaudan), preferably in an amount in the range of from 0.1 to 6 weight-%, more preferably in an amount in the range of from 0.5 to 3.5 weight-%, based on the total weight of the chewing gum;

_• a powder flavor, e.g. spearmint flavor (97537-31 , Givaudan), preferably in an amount in the range of from 0.05 to 5 weight-%, more preferably in an amount in the range of from 0.1 to 2.5 weight-%, based on the total weight of the chewing gum;

_• a sweetener such as aspartame (E951 ), acesulfam K (E950), cyclamate (E952), isomalt (E953), and/or saccharine (E954), preferably in an amount in the range of from 0.1 to 0.4%, more preferably in an amount in the range of from 0.2 to 0.3 weight-%, based on the total weight of the chewing gum.

The chewing gum in the examples of the present invention contains 33.1 weight-% of a gum base for laminated chewing gum (stick type), 35.7 weight-% of sorbitol, 15 weight-% of xylitol, 5 weight-% of a maltitol syrup, 5 weight-% of mannitol, 4 weight-% of glycerol, 1.3 weight-% of a liquid flavor, 0.6 weight-% of a powderous flavor and 0.2 weight-% of a sweetener, each amount based on the total weight of the chewing gum, to which then the formulation of canthaxanthin according to the present invention is added. A further embodiment of the present invention is a chewing gum containing 33 weight-% of the gum base type Sierra (commercially available by CAFOSA, Spain), 36 weight-% of sorbitol Neosorb (E420), 15 weight-% of xylitol 90 (E967), 5 weight-% of Lycasin 80/55 cone. (E965), 5 weight-% of mannitol 60 powder (E421 ), 4 weight-% of glycerol (E422), 1 .3 weight-% of a liquid spearmint flavor (such as 1 1762-34 commercially available form Givaudan), 0.6 weight-% of a powderous spearmint flavor (such as 97537-31 commercially available form Givaudan) and 0.1 weight-% of Acesulfam K and aspartame, each amount based on the total weight of the chewing gum, to which then the formulation of canthaxanthin according to the present invention is added.

The amount of the formulation of canthaxanthin in the chewing gum is chosen in such a way that the amount of canthaxanthin is preferably in the range of from 10 to 120 ppm, more preferably in the range of from 30 to 90 ppm, most preferably in the range of from 40 to 80 ppm, based on the total weight of the chewing gum.

Formulation of the present invention

The formulation of canthaxanthin according to the present invention

comprises:

i) canthaxanthin and

ii) modified food starch and

iii) oil and

iv) optionally an antioxidant and

v) optionally a filler and

vi) optionally water and

vii) optionally a flow agent.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a formulation of

canthaxanthin according to the present invention comprising: i) canthaxanthin in an amount in the range of from 1 to 20 weight- %, preferably in an amount in the range of from 3 to 15 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation;

ii) modified food starch in an amount in the range of from 35 to 60 weight-%, preferably in an amount in the range of from 45 to 55 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation;

iii) oil in an amount in the range of from 25 to 45 weight-%,

preferably in an amount in the range of from 30 to 40 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation;

iv) an antioxidant in an amount in the range of from 0 to 5 weight-%, preferably in an amount in the range of from 0.5 to 3 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation;

v) a filler in an amount in the range of from 0 to 50 weight-%,

preferably in an amount in the range of from 10 to 40 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation;

vi) water in an amount in the range of from 0 to 5 weight-%,

preferably in an amount in the range of from 0.5 to 2.5 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation;

vii) a flow agent in an amount in the range of from 0 to 2 weight-%, preferably in an amount in the range of from 0.1 to 1 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation.

A more preferred embodiment of the present invention is a formulation of canthaxanthin according to the present invention comprising:

i) canthaxanthin in an amount in the range of from 3 to 15 weight- %, based on the total weight of the formulation;

ii) modified food starch in an amount in the range of from 45 to 55 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation;

iii) oil in an amount in the range of from 30 to 40 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation; iv) an antioxidant in an amount in the range of from 0.5 to 3 weight- %, based on the total weight of the formulation;

v) a filler in an amount in the range of from 10 to 40 weight-%,

based on the total weight of the formulation;

vi) water in an amount in the range of from 0.5 to 2.5 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation;

vii) a flow agent in an amount in the range of from 0.1 to 1 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation. The single ingredients of the formulation are described in more detail below.

Canthaxanthin

Canthaxanthin (compound of formula I) can be obtained from a natural source, by fermentation or by chemical synthesis.

The term“canthaxanthin” used herein encompasses the (all-f)-isomer as well as mono-, oligo- or poly-(Z)-isomers. A preferred isomer mixture contains (all- f)-canthaxanthin (preferably in an amount > 95 weight-%), (9Z)-canthaxanthin (preferably in an amount < 1.7 weight-%) and (13Z)-canthaxanthin (preferably in an amount < 1.5 weight-%). The amount of canthaxanthin is preferably in the range of from 1 to 20 weight- %, more preferably in the range of from 3 to 15 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation.

“Modified food starch”

A modified food starch is a food starch that has been chemically modified by known methods to have a chemical structure which provides it with a hydrophilic and a lipophilic portion. Preferably the modified food starch has a long hydrocarbon chain as part of its structure (preferably C5-C18).

At least one modified food starch is preferably used to make a formulation of this invention, but it is possible to use a mixture of two or more different modified food starches in one formulation.

Starches are hydrophilic and therefore do not have emulsifying capacities. However, modified food starches are made from starches substituted by known chemical methods with hydrophobic moieties. For example starch may be treated with cyclic dicarboxylic acid anhydrides such as succinic anhydrides, substituted with a hydrocarbon chain (see O. B. Wurzburg (editor),“Modified Starches: Properties and Uses, CRC Press, Inc. Boca Raton, Florida, 1986, and subsequent editions). A particularly preferred modified food starch of this invention has the following formula (I)

wherein St is a starch, R is an alkylene radical and R ^' is a hydrophobic group. Preferably R is a lower alkylene radical such as dimethylene or trimethylene. R ^' may be an alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably having 5 to 18 carbon atoms. A preferred compound of formula (I) is an“OSA-starch” (starch sodium octenyl succinate). The degree/extent of substitution, i.e. the number of esterified hydroxyl groups to the number of free non-esterified hydroxyl groups usually varies in a range of from 0.1% to 10%, preferably in a range of from 0.5% to 4%, more preferably in a range of from 3% to 4%.

The term“OSA-starch“ denotes any starch (from any natural source such as corn, waxy maize, waxy corn, wheat, tapioca and potato or synthesized) that was treated with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA). The degree/extent of substitution, i.e. the number of hydroxyl groups esterified with OSA to the number of free non-esterified hydroxyl groups usually varies in a range of from 0.1% to 10%, preferably in a range of from 0.5% to 4%, more preferably in a range of from 3% to 4%. OSA-starches are also known under the expression “modified food starch”.

The term“OSA-starches” encompasses also such starches that are

commercially available e.g. from National Starch/lngredion under the tradenames HiCap 100, Capsul, Capsul HS, Purity Gum 2000, Clear Gum Co03, UNI-PURE, HYLON VII; from National Starch/lngredion and Roquette Freres, respectively; from CereStar under the tradename CEmCap or from Tate &

Lyle.

Amount of the modified food starch /OSA starch

The amount of the modified food starch (preferably the OSA starch) is preferably in the range of from 35 to 60 weight-%, more preferably in the range of from 45 to 55 weight-%, based on the total weight of formulation.

Oil Preferably the formulation according to the present invention contains oil in an amount in the range of from 25 to 45 weight-%, preferably in an amount in the range of from 30 to 40 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation.

The term“oil” in the context of the present invention encompasses glycerol and any triglyceride such as vegetable oils or fats like corn oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, rapeseed oil, peanut oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, cotton seed oil, olive oil or coconut oil, as well as MCTs (“middle chain triglycerides”).

The oils can be from any origin. They can be natural, modified or synthetic. If the oils are natural they can be plant or animal oils. The term“oil” in the context of the present invention thus also encompasses canola oil, sesame oil, hazelnut oil, almond oil, cashew oil, macadamia oil, mongongo nut oil, pracaxi oil, pecan oil, pine nut oil, pistachio oil, sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) oil, walnut oil or polyunsaturated fatty acids (= “PUFAs”) (for example arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and g-linolenic acid) as well as the triglycerides of PUFAs and the esters of PUFAs, e.g. the ethyl esters of PUFAs.

Antioxidant

Suitable antioxidants are molecules effectively inhibiting or delaying the oxidation of the target molecule, i.e. canthaxanthin. Commonly, both fat- and water-soluble antioxidants fulfill this protective purpose.

Examples of water-soluble antioxidants include ascorbic acid and iso-ascorbic acid including their sodium and calcium salts, as well as any mixture thereof.

Examples of fat-soluble antioxidants include ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl stearate, D/L-a-tocopherol, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), carnosic acid, gallic acid esters (e.g. propyl gallate, octyl gallate, dodecyl gallate), rosmarinic acid, tert- butyl hydroquinone

(TBHQ), and various tocochromanols, as well as any mixture thereof. Frequently, plant extracts rich in several of the afore mentioned antioxidants are used. Among the fat-soluble antioxidants, D/L-a-tocopherol is especially preferred.

The amount of the antioxidant or a combination of several antioxidants is preferably in the range of from 0 to 5 weight-%, more preferably in the range of from 0.5 to 5 weight-%, even more preferably in the range of from 0.5 to 3 weight-%, most preferably it is in the range of from 1 to 3 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation.

Filler

Suitable fillers are maltodextrin, as well as monosaccharides and disaccharides.

Examples of monosaccharides are fructose, glucose (= dextrose), mannose, galactose, sorbose, as well as any mixtures thereof.

Examples of disaccharides are saccharose, isomaltose, lactose, maltose and nigerose, as well as any mixture thereof.

The amount of the filler is preferably in the range of from 0 to 50 weight-%, more preferably it is in the range of from 10 to 40 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation.

Water

The amount of water is preferably in the range of from 0 to 5 weight-%, more preferably it is in the range of from 0.5 to 2.5 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation.

Flow agent

Suitable flow agents are silicon dioxide, a salt of stearic acid, tricalcium phosphate, talc, powdered cellulose, sodium silicates, potassium silicates, calcium silicates, magnesium silicates, sodium aluminosilicates, potassium aluminosilicates, calcium aluminosilicates, magnesium aluminosilicates, as well as any mixture thereof.

Preferably the flow agent is silicon dioxide.

Preferably the amount of the flow agent is in the range of from 0 to 2 weight- %, more preferably it is in the range of from 0.1 to 1 weight-%, based on the total weight of the formulation.

Further preferred embodiments of the present invention are embodiments where one or more of the preferences of compound i) and/or of compound ii) and/or of compound iii) and/or of compound iv) and/or of compound v) and/or of compound vi) and/or of compound vii) as listed above are realized.

Colour values and particle sizes of the formulation of the present invention

When the color of an aqueous dispersion of the formulation of canthaxanthin comprising 10 mg/L canthaxanthin is measured at the CIELAB color scale, it has a color value b* in the range of from -15 to +10, preferably it has a color value b* in the range of from -10 to +5, more preferably it has a color value b* in the range of from -5 to +3. The color value h of such aqueous dispersion of the formulations of canthaxanthin as measured at the CIELAB color scale is preferably in the range of from 315° to 355° , more preferably it is in the range of from 320° to 350° most preferably it is in the range of from 325° to 345° .

The particle size distribution of the encapsulated canthaxanthin as measured after dispersion in water and as expressed as volume-based diameter quantiles D(v,0.1 ), D(v,0.5) and D(v,0.9) is as follows: D(v,0.1 ) is in the range of from 10 to 900 nm, preferably in the range of from 15 nm to 850 nm, more preferably in the range of from 25 nm to 800 nm;

D(v,0.5) is in the range of from 500 to 1500 nm, preferably in the range of from 650 nm to 1400 nm; more preferably in the range of from 700 nm to 1350 nm;

D(v,0.9) is in the range of from 1000 to 15000 nm, preferably in the range of from 1300 nm to 10000 nm; more preferably in the range of from 1600 nm to 5000 nm; all diameter quantiles D(v,0.1 ), D(v,0.5) and D(v,0.9) as measured by laser diffraction analyses (Mastersizer 3000, Malvern Instruments, Malvern, UK) implementing the Mie scattering model (particle refractive index = 1.596; particle absorption index = 0.1 ; refractive index of water = 1.33).

Process according to the present invention

The present invention is further directed to a process for the manufacture of a formulation of canthaxanthin according to the present invention comprising the following steps: a) dispersing canthaxanthin and optionally a fat-soluble antioxidant in an oil to obtain an oily canthaxanthin suspension;

b) milling the oily canthaxanthin suspension until a particle size of the canthaxanthin as follows:

D(v,0.1 ) in the range of from 0.1 mΐti to 0.9 mΐti and

D(v,0.5) in the range of from 1.0 mΐti to 2.0 mΐti and

D(v,0.9) in the range of from 1.7 mΐti to 10 mΐti is achieved; c) dissolving the modified food starch and optionally a water-soluble antioxidant in water to obtain an aqueous matrix; d) adding the milled oily canthaxanthin suspension obtained in step b) to the matrix obtained in step c) and homogenizing the resulting mixture to obtain an aqueous canthaxanthin dispersion; e) drying the aqueous canthaxanthin dispersion obtained in step d) to obtain the solid formulation of canthaxanthin;

f) optionally adding a flow agent.

Preferably the drying step e) is either performed as spray-drying or spray granulating.

The steps are described in more detail below.

Step a)

Preferably this step is performed at a temperature in the range of from 25 to 80° C, more preferably at a temperature in the range of from 40° C to 65 °C.

The amounts of canthaxanthin, the fat-soluble antioxidant iv) and the oil iii) are chosen so that the final amounts of these compounds in the resulting formulation after having performed all steps is as described above.

Step b)

Preferably this step is performed at a temperature in the range of from 25 to 80° C, more preferably at a temperature in the range of from 35 °C to 70° C, even more preferably at a temperature in the range of from 40 to 65 ° C.

The particle size of the milled oily canthaxanthin suspension as expressed as volume-based diameter quantile [D(v,0.1 )/D(v,0.5)/D(v,0.9)] is preferably as follows: D(v,0.1 ) is in the range of from 0.1 to 0.9 mΐti, more preferably in the range of from 0.3 to 0.7 mΐti;

D(v,0.5) is in the range of from 0.8 to 2.0 mΐti, more preferably in the range of from 1.0 to 1.7 mΐti;

D(v,0.9) is in the range of from 1.5 to 10 mΐti, more preferably in the range of from 1.7 to 3.0 mΐti.

This particle size distribution is essential for the later coloring properties of the formulation.

Particle size is measured by static laser diffraction analyses (Mastersizer 3000, Malvern Instruments, Malvern, UK) implementing the Fraunhofer scattering model, a particle refractive index of 1.0, a dispersant refractive index of 1.394 (dispersant = Volasil 344 = octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane), a particle absorption index of 0.0 and at a laser obscuration level of ca. 5%.

Step c)

The amounts of the modified food starch ii) and the water-soluble antioxidant iv) are chosen so that the final amounts of these compounds in the resulting formulation after having performed all steps is as described above.

Preferably this step is performed at a temperature in the range of from 50 to 70° C, more preferably at a temperature in the range of from 55 °C to 67° C, even more preferably at a temperature of around 60 °C.

The matrix obtained after having performed step c) is then preferably kept at a temperature in the range of from 25 to 65 °C, more preferably at a

temperature in the range of from 29 °C to 66 °C, even more preferably at a temperature in the range of from 29 to 56° C. Depending on the temperature step c) has been performed it may be necessary to cool the matrix down to such a temperature or to heat it up to such a temperature. In most cases the temperature at which step c) is performed and the temperature at which the matrix is kept are chosen in such a way so that a cooling down step is necessary.

Step d)

Preferably this step is performed at a mixing temperature in the range of from 25 to 100°C, more preferably at a mixing temperature in the range of from 30 to 80° C, even more preferably at a mixing temperature in the range of from 35 °C to 75 °C to obtain an emulsion.

The emulsification can be achieved by using a rotor-stator device or a high- pressure homogenizer or both. Other devices known to the person skilled in the art may also be used.

If rotor-stator device and/or a high-pressure homogenizer is used, a pressure- drop in the range of 50 to 1000 bar, more preferably in the range of 150 to 300 bar, is preferably applied.

Step e)

The resulting aqueous canthaxanthin dispersions after having performed steps a) to d) may be used as such. Preferably they are, however, dried by any method known to the person skilled in the art, e.g. by spray-drying, spray drying in combination with fluidised bed granulation or by a powder-catch technique, whereby the sprayed emulsion droplets are caught in a bed of an absorbent, such as starch, and subsequently dried. These dried forms

(powders) can then also be added to the chewing gum.

Step f) To improve the flowability of the canthaxanthin formulations a flow agent is preferably added in an amount, so that the final amount of the flow agent in the resulting formulation after having performed all steps is as described above.

Preferably the flow agent is added during spray-drying, but it may also be added afterwards. When the drying is achieved by spray-granulation the flow agent is preferably added afterwards and not during the spray-granulation.

Further preferred embodiments of the present invention are embodiments where one or more of the preferred embodiments of step a) and/or step b) and/or step c) and/or step d) and/or step e) and/or step f) as listed above are realized.

Particle size measurement

The particle sizes of the canthaxanthin formulations may be measured after dispersing them in water by laser diffraction measurements (Malvern

Mastersizer 3000, Malvern Instruments, Malvern, UK) implementing the Mie scattering model (particle refractive index = 1.596; particle absorption index = 0.1 ; refractive index of water = 1.33) and expressing the results as volume- based diameter distributions.

The particle sizes of the oily milled canthaxanthin suspension may be measured by static laser diffraction analyses (Mastersizer 3000, Malvern Instruments, Malvern, UK) implementing the Fraunhofer scattering model, a particle refractive index of 1.0, a dispersant refractive index of 1.394 (dispersant = Volasil 344 = octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane), a particle absorption index of 0.0 and at a laser obscuration level of ca. 5%.

Color measurement

Color (lightness, Chroma, and hue) of the hard sugar coated confectionary was determined with a HunterLab Ultra Scan Pro spectrocolorimeter (Hunter Associates Laboratory, Reston, VA, USA) and expressed on basis of the CIELAB colour scale. The mode used was RSIN which stands for Reflectance - Specular Included. The small area view (SAV) with a diameter of 4.826 mm (0.190 inch) was chosen. Color measurements are carried out after CIE guidelines

(Commission International d’Eclairage). Values can be expressed as planar coordinates as L ^* , a ^* , b ^* with L ^* being the measuring values for lightness, with a ^* being the value on the red-green axes and b ^* being the value on the yellow- blue axes.

The Chroma (C) sometimes called saturation describes the vividness or dullness of a color which can be calculated as followed:

C ^* =/(a ^*2 +b ^*2 )

The angle called hue (h) describes how we perceive an object’s color and can be calculated as followed: h=tan(b/a) ^{( 1 )}

Instruments settings:

• Color scale is the CIE L ^* a ^* b ^* /L ^* C ^* h

• Light source definition: D65 daylight equivalent

• Geometry: Diffuse/8 °

• Wavelength: scan 350-1050 nm

• Sample measurement area diameter: 4.826 mm

• Calibration mode: Reflection/ Specular-included

The invention is now further illustrated in the following non-limiting examples.

Examples Example 1 : Manufacture of a spray-dried formulation of canthaxanthin

Ca. 540 g of canthaxanthin are dispersed in ca. 1500 g corn oil enriched with 65 g of D/L-a-tocopherol under continuous stirring. Subsequently, the obtained coarse (average crystal size D(v,0.5): approx. 17 pm) oily canthaxanthin suspension is continuously pumped through an agitated ball mill (Dispermate SL-12-C1 ; 0.4 mm Zr02 milling pearls TOSOH; 80% filling degree; 4000 rpm rotor speed) until reaching the desired particle size of the canthaxanthin crystals [D(v,0.5): approx. 1 .4 pm] .

This fine milled canthaxanthin oily suspension is emulsified into an aqueous modified food starch matrix, consisting approximately of 2 parts of water and 1 part of modified starch. For this purpose, a coarse emulsion is prepared by using an Ultra Turrax T50 equipment (5000 rpm; 10 minutes). Subsequently, the coarse emulsion is further homogenized using an APV 1000 high pressure homogenizer (3 passes at 200 bar) yielding an aqueous dispersion of the canthaxanthin suspension.

Then the aqueous emulsion is spray dried using a NIRO Mobile MINOR 200 (Type D1 ) spray dryer [Air temperature: 180°C (in) / 86-95 ° C (out); two-fluid nozzle (1 mm diameter)]. In order to improve flowability small amounts of silicon dioxide (0.50-0.75% w/w) are added after spray drying.

Example 2: Manufacture of a spray-granulated formulation of canthaxanthin Ca. 540 g of canthaxanthin are dispersed in ca. 1500 g corn oil enriched with 65 g of D/L-a-tocopherol under continuous stirring. Subsequently, the obtained coarse (average crystal size D(v,0.5): approx. 17 pm) oily canthaxanthin suspension is continuously pumped through an agitated ball mill (Dispermate SL-12-C1 ; 0.4 mm Zr0 ₂ milling pearls TOSOH; 80% filling degree; 4000 rpm rotor speed) until reaching the desired particle size of the canthaxanthin crystals [D(v,0.5): approx. 1 .4 pm]. This fine milled canthaxanthin oily suspension is emulsified into an aqueous modified food starch matrix, consisting approximately of 2 parts water and 1 part modified starch. For this purpose, a coarse emulsion is prepared by using an Ultra Turrax T50 equipment (5000 rpm; 10 minutes). Subsequently, the coarse emulsion is further homogenized using an APV 1000 high pressure homogenizer (3 passes at 200 bar) yielding an aqueous dispersion of the canthaxanthin suspension.

Then the aqueous emulsion is spray-granulated using a WFP Mini fluidbed laboratory unit (DMR Prozesstechnologie, Kaiseraugst, Switzerland) equipped with a Watson Marlow sciQ 323 pump and silicon tubing (0-in: 2mm / 0-out: 6mm), being operated in top spray mode (low position at 8th mark). Inlet temperature is set at 80°C, leading to a process temperature of ca. 44-49° C. Process pressure is set at -10 mbar, spray pressure at 1 .5 bar, purge pressure at 0.5 bar, and pressurized air at 1 .5 bar. The resulting powder is sieved to obtain the main fraction with a particle size between 150 and 630 pm. In order to improve flowability small amounts of silicon dioxide (0.50-0.75% w/w) are added after spray granulation.

Example 3: Manufacture of a chewing gum

Stock solutions are prepared from the formulation obtained according to example 2 (“product form as 10% stock solution [ml]”). All powdered

ingredients (see table 1 below) are mixed and the resulting powder sieved.

Gum base is tempered at 70° C until it becomes a sticky liquid. Then the gum is kneaded to get plasticized. The sieved powder mix is added portion wise (1 /3;

1 / 3; 1 /3) to the gum base, as well as the stock solution and the flavor and the resulting mixture is well kneaded. In necessary, the resulting gum may be tempered at 60°C to 70°C during kneading process to allow a better mixing of the ingredients. Then the gum is rolled out and laminated to 2 mm thickness. After cooling for 24 hours to 4°C, it is cut into sticks of 3 gramms. Pictures of the resulting chewing gums are shown in Fig. 1. The color shade h is measured as described above. The“industry reference” colored with a mixture of E129 and E133 shows a color shade h of 31 ° .

The trials in Fig. 1 correspond to the ones as in the ingredient table 1 below.

Table 1