Colorants play a key role in plant-based products, as they help mimic the visual appeal of animal meat and meet consumer expectations. This study presents an integrative review of studies published in the last five years on the application of betalains, natural pigments found in beets. In addition to their vibrant color, betalains have important functional properties for health, including antioxidant action and contribution to the nutritional value of plant-based products. The use of these pigments is also in line with sustainable production practices, as they can be extracted from renewable plant sources and by-products such as peels and waste, encouraging the use of the whole plant and reducing food waste. In addition, betalains increase sensory acceptance by enhancing visual appeal and perceived product quality. Overall, current evidence suggests that betalains are a promising alternative to artificial or animal-based colorants, with their vibrant color and pH stability, standing out in the development of plant-based products. Appearance and color are essential factors in consumer choice, which highlights the importance of these colorants in product acceptance.
Salvadori et al. (Tue,) studied this question.