Violaxanthin is a xanthophyll pigment with an orange color found in a variety of plants. Violaxanthin is the product of the epoxide of zeaxanthin where the oxygen atoms are from reactive oxygen species (ROS). Such ROS's arise when a plant is subject to solar radiation so intense that the light cannot all be absorbed by the chlorophyll.
Food coloring
Violaxanthin is used as a
food coloring under the
E number E161e and
INS number 161e. The coloring is not approved for use in food in the EU
[UK Food Standards Agency: ] or the United States, but is allowed in Australia and New Zealand.
[Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code]
Violaxanthin cycle
Violaxanthin is a participant in the violaxanthin cycle.