Abstract: In this experiment, the natural pigment Xanthophyll has been purified, and its spectrum characteristic determinationwas described afterward. The affects caused by temperature, illumination, pH and metallic ions on the stability of Xanthophylland the reducing quality of the pigment have been studied,the pigment suffered losses mostly by the reducer but slightly bythe ions. Orthogonal experimental design(34) was put up with two food additives and pH conditions among 5.1～6.9 showed betterstabilizing effect. The order of affection was: metallic ions>pH>vitamine C. The optimum stable conditions were: theconcentration of Zn2+, as 0.0055%, VC as 0.020% and pH as 6.0. The result of the orthogonal experimental was in reverse orderof the single factor studies.

Key words: Xanthophyll, natural pigment, stability, orthogonal experimental design