Comprehensive chlorophyll composition of commercial green food colorants and coloring foodstuffs by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS: Chlorophyllins. (30th July 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pérez-Gálvez, Antonio; Roca, María
• Is Part Of: Food chemistry. Volume 415(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-07-30
• Subjects: Green food colorant -- Chlorophyll -- Coloring foodstuff -- Chlorophyllin -- Chlorin -- Rhodochlorin; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135746
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8146

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Identified fifteen new chlorophyll compounds in green food colorants. Eight of them were new structures while seven ones were only noted by synthesis. Green coloring foodstuffs are analyzed for the first time. Identified specific qualifier ions to distinguish among different chlorophylls. Outlined chemical pathway responsible for chl modification during colorant production. Abstract: Consumers demand higher levels of food quality and safety, so food legislative organizations need full knowledge of food composition to develop regulations that guarantee quality and safety criteria. This is the context for green natural food colorants and the new category green "coloring foodstuffs". We have exploited the capabilities of targeted metabolomics assisted by powerful software and algorithms to unravel the comprehensive chlorophyll composition in commercial samples of both colorant categories. With the aid of an in-house library, at first, seven new chlorophylls have been identified, among all the samples analyzed, providing data on their structural configuration. Next, taking advantage of an expert-curated database, eight more chlorophylls non-described previously have been found, which will be significant for the chemistry of chlorophylls. Finally, we have deciphered the sequence of chemical reactions that take place during the manufacturing of green food colorants and propose the whole pathway that explains the occurrence of the chlorophylls they contain.