Curcumin-metal color complexes

Claim 2

A water-soluble curcumin-metal complex comprising a metal ion component selected from the group consisting of stannous ion, zinc ion and mixtures thereof and a curcumin-component yielding an improved color composition having a curcumin to metal molar ratio of four to five moles of curcumin to each mole of metal ion and having longer lasting stability and the ability to provide many different hues in relation to the metal concentration.

Claim 3

The curcumin-metal complex as recited in claim 1 wherein the metal ion component is stannous ion.

Claim 4

The curcumin-metal complex as recited in claim 1 wherein the curcumin-component is derived from a member of the group consisting of: (a) single extract turmeric; (b) multiple extract turmeric; (c) spray-dried turmeric; (d) turmeric oleoresin; (e) synthesized curcumin; and (f) mixtures thereof.

Claim 5

The curcumin-metal complex as recited in claim 1 which is co-dried with a non-toxic, edible carrier material selected from the group consisting of: (a) malto-dextrins; (b) modified starches; (c) gums; and (d) mixtures thereof.

Claim 6

The co-dried curcumin-metal complex and carrier as recited in claim 4 which contains an emulsifier selected from the group consisting of: (a) polysorbates; (b) propylene glycol; (c) vegetable oil; and (d) mixtures thereof, said emulsifier being used to solubilize the otherwise water-insoluble curcumin.

Claim 7

A process for producing a stable, water-soluble curcumin-metal complex capable of producing various hues of the same color comprising: (a) dissolving a water soluble curcumin-containing substrate in water; (b) adding metal selected from the group consisting of stannous ion, zinc ion and mixtures thereof to form a curcumin-metal complex having a curcumin to metal molar ratio of four to five moles of curcumin to each mole of metal ion; and (c) mixing until a hue change is observed.

Claim 8

A process for producing a stable, water-soluble curcumin-metal complex capable of producing various hues of the same color comprising: (a) dissolving a water soluble curcumin-containing substrate in water; (b) adding metal selected from the group consisting of stannous ion, zinc ion and mixtures thereof to form a curcumin-metal complex having a curcumin to metal molar ratio of four to five moles of curcumin to each mole of metal ion; and (c) mixing until a hue change is observed.

Claim 9

The process according to claim 6 wherein the water soluble curcumin-containing substrate is spray dried turmeric or turmeric oleoresin.

Claim 10

A process for producing a stable, water soluble curcumin-metal complex capable of producing various hues of the same color, comprising: (a) grinding a water insoluble curcumin-containing substrate; (b) dissolving the ground curcumin-containing substrate into an aqueous solution containing an emulsifier; (c) adding to the solution of step (b) a metal ion selected from the group consisting of stannous ion, zinc ion and mixtures thereof, said solution having a curcumin to metal molar ratio of four to five moles of curcumin to each mole of metal ion; (d) stirring the mixture of step (c) for at least fifteen minutes and until a desired hue is obtained; (e) mixing the complex formed in step (d) with an aqueous solution of a nontoxic edible carrier; and (f) drying the resulting compound.

Claim 11

A process for producing a stable, water soluble curcumin-metal complex capable of producing various hues of the same color, comprising: (a) grinding a water insoluble curcumin-containing substrate; (b) dissolving the ground curcumin-containing substrate into an aqueous solution containing an emulsifier; (c) adding to the solution of step (b) a metal ion selected from the group consisting of stannous ion, zinc ion and mixtures thereof, said solution having a curcumin to metal molar ratio of four to five moles of curcumin to each mole of metal ion; (d) stirring the mixture of step (c) for at least fifteen minutes and until a desired hue is obtained; (e) mixing the complex formed in step (d) with an aqueous solution of a nontoxic edible carrier; and (f) drying the resulting compound.

Claim 12

The process according to claim 8 wherein the insoluble curcumin-containing substrate is selected from the group consisting of: (a) single extract turmeric; (b) multiple extract turmeric; (c) synthesized curcumin; and (d) mixtures thereof.

Claim 13

The process according to claim 7 or claim 9 wherein the metal is a stannous ion.

Claim 14

The process according to claim 8 wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of: (a) polysorbates (b) propylene glycol; (c) vegetable oil; and (d) mixtures thereof.

Claim 15

The process according to claim 8 wherein the non-toxic edible carrier is selected from the group consisting of: (a) malto-dextrins; (b) modified starches; (c) gums; and (d) mixtures thereof.