E163 - Anthocyanins

Functions: Colour

Anthocyanins -also anthocyans; from Greek: ἄνθος -anthos- "flower" and κυάνεος/κυανοῦς kyaneos/kyanous "dark blue"- are water-soluble vacuolar pigments that, depending on their pH, may appear red, purple, or blue. Food plants rich in anthocyanins include the blueberry, raspberry, black rice, and black soybean, among many others that are red, blue, purple, or black. Some of the colors of autumn leaves are derived from anthocyanins.Anthocyanins belong to a parent class of molecules called flavonoids synthesized via the phenylpropanoid pathway. They occur in all tissues of higher plants, including leaves, stems, roots, flowers, and fruits. Anthocyanins are derived from anthocyanidins by adding sugars. They are odorless and moderately astringent. Although approved to color foods and beverages in the European Union, anthocyanins are not approved for use as a food additive because they have not been verified as safe when used as food or supplement ingredients. There is no conclusive evidence anthocyanins have any effect on human biology or diseases. - Wikipedia

EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of anthocyanins -E 163- as a food additive (2013-04-23)