Chromologics, a Danish biotech leveraging precision fermentation technology to produce colours for the food industry, has received backing from the Germany ingredients supplier via its investment arm, Döhler Ventures.
Danish ingredients firm Chr Hansen claims it has produced carmine through fermentation, meaning a cheaper, vegetarian, halal and kosher version of the natural red colouring could be just a few years from commercial use.
Optimised methods of extracting the food colourant carmine could offer industry lower allergenicity and higher stability than currently used extraction techniques, say researchers.
A newly developed natural food colouring made from beetroot extracts could be a solution to replacing carmine colours made from insects, according to ingredient producer Synthite.
Vitiva has developed a new heat-stable red colour from beetroot for use in meat applications instead of expensive and allergenic carmine from cochineal insects.
