Purple Yam Powder (UBE)
description
UBE Powder is a concentrated extract derived from Dioscorea alata (purple yam), prized for its anthocyanin-rich purple pigment and nutritional density. Native to Southeast Asia, it contains 15-20% more antioxidants than standard sweet potatoes (Food Chemistry, 2022).
Key Phytochemical Profile
|
Compound |
Concentration (per 100g) |
Bioactivity |
|
Anthocyanins |
150-300 mg |
Antioxidant (ORAC: 7,500 μmol TE/g) |
|
Diosgenin |
50-100 mg |
Anti-inflammatory (COX-2 ↓40%) |
|
Resistant Starch |
20-30 g |
Prebiotic (↑Bifidobacteria 3x) |
|
Vitamin C |
15-25 mg |
Collagen synthesis booster |
Production & Quality Metrics
Extraction Method
Spray-dried (60°C inlet temp) preserves 92% anthocyanins vs. freeze-drying
Solvent-free (water extraction) for clean-label demand
Optimized Extraction Protocol
|
Parameter |
Spray-Drying |
Freeze-Drying |
Supercritical CO₂ |
|
Anthocyanin Retention |
89-92% |
95-97% |
82-85% |
|
Production Cost |
$12-18/kg |
$25-35/kg |
$40-50/kg |
|
Particle Size |
80-120 μm |
50-80 μm |
10-30 μm |
|
Parameter |
Spray-Drying |
Freeze-Drying |
Supercritical CO₂ |
Color Stability:
pH-dependent (red at pH 3, purple at pH 7)
Half-life: 12 months (with 0.1% ascorbic acid stabilizer)
Stability & Formulation Science
|
Color |
Performance |
Metrics |
|
Condition |
ΔE (Color Change) |
Anthocyanin Loss |
|
pH 3.0 (Acidic) |
1.2 (Stable red) |
<5% @ 6 months |
|
pH 7.0 (Neutral) |
3.8 (Purple shift) |
15-20% @ 6 months |
|
45°C Storage |
8.5 (Brownish) |
35% @ 3 months |
Stabilization Solutions:
Dual-Antioxidant System: 0.05% ascorbic acid + 0.02% rosemary extract
Chelators: 0.1% citric acid prevents metal-catalyzed degradation
Benefits
✔ Antioxidant Powerhouse – Neutralizes free radicals
✔ Gut Health Support – Feeds beneficial microbiota
✔ Natural Colorant – Vibrant purple for clean-label products
✔ Blood Sugar Modulator – Low glycemic index (GI=35)
Applications
Food & Beverage
Bakery: UBE bread (2-5% substitution for flour)
Beverages: Milk teas (0.1-0.3% for color/nutrition)
Health Supplements
Anthocyanin capsules (250-500 mg doses)
Prebiotic blends with inulin
Cosmetics
Anti-aging serums (5% UBE extract for oxidative protection)
Agriculture
Natural food dye alternative to synthetic FD&C Red No. 40
Product Processing











