Abstract: With the aim of demonstrating the feasibility of extracting red pigment from sunflower seed shells and its utilization potential, the extraction, purification and stability of red pigment from sunflower seed shells was studied. Sunflower seed shells were extracted with 50% ethanol solution (pH 1－2) under ultrasonic assistance. Employing orthogonal array design, the optimal extraction conditions were determined as follows: temperature 55 ℃, material/liquid ratio 1:16, and extraction time 10 min. Under these conditions, the extraction yield of red pigment was 8.2%. The results from stability experiments indicated that the OD value and color of the pigment changed little when exposed to hydrogen peroxide, sodium sulfite, food additives or light, indicating good stability. However, poor stability was observed at temperatures higher than 80 ℃ or pH ≥ 3 as a result of notable changes in the color and OD. The purification yield of red pigment from crude extract was 6.30%.

Key words: red pigment from sunflower seed shells, extraction, stability, purification