Food Chemistry CHEM1226 and CHEM1083

Topic: Colorants and colour of foods

Self assessment/revision questions (note that I strongly recommend you test yourself first by attempting the
questions before looking at the answers given below)
Question 1 Anthocyanins are
a Involved in oxygen transport in animals
b Very stable plant pigments
c Influenced by pH changes and metal ions
d A group of artificial colorants that form lakes
e None of the above
Question 2 The term conjugation refers to
a Structures in which the colour can be manipulated
b Alternating single and double bonding patterns in a molecule
c The presence of charged groups
d Inorganic colorants including iron oxides and titanium dioxide
e All of the above
Question 3 Carotenoids are plant pigments which
a May have vitamin activity
b Often show antioxidant activity
c Are hydrophobic/water insoluble
d Contribute to the visual appeal of many plant foods
e All of the above
HO

Question 4 The molecule shown is likely to

a
b
c
d
e

Be yellow in colour
Be quite unstable during food processing
Be a naturally occurring plant pigment
Form a lake under at least some pH conditions in the presence of Ca2+
Occur in tomatoes

NaO3S

N
N

Question 5 The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code includes reference to 70mg of artificial colorants
per litre of beverages. This value is the
a Recommended amount
b Minimum value
c Level likely to cause adverse effects
d Maximum level permitted
e Typical concentration found in these products in Australia
Question 6 Artificial colorants
a
Can only be used in certain foods
b
Have been subject to concerns first raised by Feingold relating to adverse effects particularly among children
c
Are effective in making a food appealing
d
Are subject to certification under US laws
e
All of the above
Question 7 Some colorants are available in lake forms. These are
a
Formed using Ca2+, Mg2+ or Al3+.
b
Typically unstable
c
Of low tinctorial value
d
Not applicable where bleeding of a colorant needs to be controlled
e
Generally soluble in water
The correct answers are: 1(c), 2(b), 3(e), 4(d), 5(d), 6(e), 7(a)
Prepared by Assoc Prof Darryl Small please email any feedback or questions

SO3Na