abstract
Natural pigments have been used preferentially in food and cosmetic production. Recent interest in Yunnan
on the potential use of the rose red pigment(s) (RRP) of Rosa hybridum (hybrid tea) cv. Crimson Glory
(parentage: Catherine Kordes W.E. Chaplin) which flourishes in plantations as the ‘Yunnan Highland
Rose’ (YHR), prompted this study into the development of efficient methods for the extraction and encapsulation
of the pigments for wider commercial application. Based on production cost and potential practical
application, the best extraction (81.6%) was achieved employing an optimal microwave extraction
process. Separation under AB-8 macro porous resin has resulted in a 4.5 fold increase in colour value
units. Microencapsulation in the bee’s-wax: Stearic acid (1:1) mix provided the stability of the pigments
under different pH, light and heat and further confirmed that the stability of the product was significantly
enhanced. This is the first report of effective microencapsulation of RRP from the YHR, facilitating commercial
applications for these pigments.