The color of processed foods plays a role by influencing consumer
acceptability. Natural occurring pigments in foods are
susceptible to changes or degradation from heat. chlorophylls
(in photosynthetic tissues), anthocyanins (the red and blue hues
associated with many fruits and vegetables), carotenoids (found
in fruits, dairy products, egg, fish and vegetables) and betanins
(present in red beet roots and meat) form the major classes
of pigments. Chlorophylls are converted to pyropheophytin via
pheophytin in fruits and vegetables, while carotenoids are isomerized
from 5,6-epoxides to 5,8-epoxides which have less color