Rhodoxanthin is a xanthophyll pigment with a purple color that is found in small quantities in a variety of plants including Taxus baccata and Lonicera morrowii. It is also found in the feathers of some birds.[1] As a food additive it is used under the E number E161f as a food coloring. It is not approved for use in the EU[2] or US; however, it is approved in Australia and New Zealand[3] (where it is listed under its INS number 161f).

Rhodoxanthin[1]
Names
IUPAC name
(4E)-3,5,5-Trimethyl-4-[(2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16E,18E)-3,7,12,16-Tetramethyl-18-(2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-1-cyclohex-2-enylidene)octadeca-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16-octaenylidene]-1-cyclohex-2-enone
Other names
  • 4',5'-Didehydro-retro-β-carotene-3,3'-dione
  • E161f
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
E number E161f (colours)
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C40H50O2/c1-29(17-13-19-31(3)21-23-37-33(5)25-35(41)27-39(37,7)8)15-11-12-16-30(2)18-14-20-32(4)22-24-38-34(6)26-36(42)28-40(38,9)10/h11-26H,27-28H2,1-10H3/b15-11+,16-12+,19-13+,20-14+,29-17+,30-18+,31-21+,32-22+,37-23-,38-24- ☒N
    Key: VWXMLZQUDPCJPL-ZDHAIZATSA-N ☒N
  • InChI=1/C40H50O2/c1-29(17-13-19-31(3)21-23-37-33(5)25-35(41)27-39(37,7)8)15-11-12-16-30(2)18-14-20-32(4)22-24-38-34(6)26-36(42)28-40(38,9)10/h11-26H,27-28H2,1-10H3/b15-11+,16-12+,19-13+,20-14+,29-17+,30-18+,31-21+,32-22+,37-23-,38-24-
    Key: VWXMLZQUDPCJPL-ZDHAIZATBA
  • CC\1=CC(=O)CC(/C1=C\C=C(\C=C\C=C(\C=C\C=C\C(=C\C=C\C(=C\C=C\2/C(CC(=O)C=C2C)(C)C)\C)\C)/C)/C)(C)C
Properties
C40H50O2
Molar mass 562.82 g/mol
Appearance Purple crystals
Melting point 219 °C (426 °F; 492 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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References

edit
  1. ^ a b Merck Index, 11th Edition, 8196.
  2. ^ UK Food Standards Agency: "Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers". Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  3. ^ Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code"Standard 1.2.4 - Labelling of ingredients". 8 September 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-27.