Abstract: Objective: To explore the thermal and light stability of red pigment extracted with different solvents from red beet stems (Beta vulgaris L. var. rubra). Methods: Red pigment from red beet stems was extracted with two different solvents, 80% ethanol solution and distilled water. The resulting extracts were scanned in the wavelength range of 230－700 nm and evaluated for their stability under various temperature and light conditions. Besides, both extracts were analyzed by HPLC. Results: The UV-visible absorption spectra of the aqueous and ethanol extracts displayed two distinct absorption peaks at 270 nm and 538 nm, respectively. The aqueous extract exhibited better thermal and light stability and higher purity than the ethanol extract.

Key words: red beet, stability, HPLC