Edible pigments are a type of coloring agent in food additives. There are different opinions in the industry about natural pigments and synthetic pigments. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of natural pigments and synthetic pigments:

Advantages of the natural pigment:

1. Most natural pigments come from plants. Except for garcinia, others are non-toxic to the human body. So natural pigments are highly safe.

2. Most natural pigments have biological activity (such as β-carotene, VB2), so they can also enhance nutrition.

3. Natural pigments can better mimic the color of natural objects, so the color is more natural.

4. Some of them have a special aromatic smell, which will make food more pleasant.

Disadvantages of the natural pigment:

1. The content of natural pigments is usually low, and their coloring ability is worse than synthetic pigments.

2. Higher cost of natural pigments.

3. Poor stability, some varieties have different colors and PH values.

4. It is difficult to match colors accurately.

5. It is easy to be influenced by external factors and deteriorate during processing and transportation.

6. Some natural pigments will produce odor due to coexisting components.

Advantages of the synthetic pigment:

1. Low cost and cheap price.

2. Bright colors and strong coloring ability.

3. High stability, tasteless, odorless, easy to dissolve, easy to color.

Disadvantages of the synthetic pigment:

The synthetic pigment is mainly made of coal tar, and its chemical structure is azo compound, which can be metabolized in human body to produce β-naphthylamine and α-amino-1-naphthol.

Nowadays, vegetable capsules have become the first choice of health care products. The most important reason is that the plant source is natural and harmless, safe and healthy, which fits perfectly with the original concept of vegetable capsules. Although synthetic pigments will make capsules appear brighter and cheaper, natural pigments will eventually become people's first choice because people are paying more and more attention to food safety and favor natural foods.