Description

1. What Is Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin 95%?

Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin is the sodium salt form of copper chlorophyllins. It is commonly associated with E141(ii), Copper Complexes of Chlorophyllins, and is also known as Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin or CI Natural Green 5.

The 95% specification refers to the assay of total copper chlorophyllins rather than the visual color strength of the powder.

1.1 95% Total Copper Chlorophyllins Assay

According to the EU specification for E141(ii), the content of total copper chlorophyllins is not less than 95% of the sample dried at 100°C for 1 hour.

This makes the 95% value a compositional or assay requirement rather than an E-value, color-strength grade or visual color index.

1.2 Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin and E141(ii)

E141(ii) is the EU food additive category for Copper Complexes of Chlorophyllins. Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin and Potassium Copper Chlorophyllin are listed as synonyms in the specification.

 

2. Alfalfa as the Botanical Raw Material

2.1 Alfalfa / Lucerne Source

This product is manufactured from selected alfalfa. In the EU definition of E141(ii), lucerne is specifically included among the edible plant materials that may be used as the source material.

2.2 Plant-Derived Chlorophyll Material

Alfalfa provides chlorophyll-related compounds that are processed into copper chlorophyllins through controlled extraction, saponification, purification and copper complex formation.

 

3. Manufacturing Process

3.1 Raw Material Preparation

Selected alfalfa is inspected and prepared before extraction to ensure suitable raw material quality.

3.2 Extraction

Chlorophyll-related components are extracted from the plant material using controlled processing conditions and permitted extraction solvents appropriate to the applicable specification.

3.3 Saponification

The extracted chlorophyll material undergoes saponification. This converts chlorophyll derivatives into chlorophyllins by removing methyl and phytol ester groups.

3.4 Purification and Copper Complex Formation

The chlorophyllins are purified and reacted with copper to form copper chlorophyllins. The acid groups are then neutralized to produce the sodium and/or potassium salt form.

3.5 Drying and Powder Processing

After purification and concentration, the material is processed into a stable powder suitable for bulk ingredient handling and formulation.

 

4. Key Characteristics

4.1 95% High-Assay Specification

The principal characteristic of this grade is its high assay of total copper chlorophyllins, with a specification of ≥95% when evaluated according to the applicable E141(ii) assay method.

4.2 Water-Soluble Green Color

Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin is water-soluble and can provide green coloration in aqueous formulations. Color intensity increases with concentration and depends on formulation conditions.

4.3 Dark Green to Blue-Black Powder

The EU specification describes E141(ii) as a dark green to blue-black powder.

4.4 Concentrated Ingredient Format

The high-assay powder is designed for customers requiring a concentrated copper chlorophyllin ingredient rather than a lower-assay general chlorophyll preparation.

 

5. EU E141(ii) Technical Requirements

For projects specifically targeting the EU market, the 95% assay is only one part of the technical evaluation.

5.1 Assay

Total copper chlorophyllins: not less than 95% on the specified dried sample basis.

5.2 Spectrometric Identification

The EU specification includes characteristic absorbance values in aqueous phosphate buffer at pH 7.5:

• E¹%₁cm 565 at approximately 405 nm
• E¹%₁cm 145 at approximately 630 nm

These parameters are used as part of the identification/specification of E141(ii).

5.3 Purity Parameters

Applicable E141(ii) specifications also address:

• Solvent residues
• Arsenic
• Lead
• Mercury
• Cadmium
• Copper ions
• Total copper

 

6. 95% Assay vs. Color Strength

A 95% Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin specification should not be confused with a color-strength grade.

6.1 What Does 95% Mean?

The 95% refers to the assay of total copper chlorophyllins.

It does not mean that the product has a “95 color value” or a 95% color intensity.

6.2 What Determines Color Strength?

Color performance is related to the concentration and characteristics of the coloring material and can also depend on formulation conditions such as dosage, pH, processing temperature and storage conditions.

Therefore, assay and color strength should be treated as separate technical parameters.

 

7. Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin vs. Lower-Assay Grades

Different Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin products may be supplied at different assay levels depending on the intended application and specification.

7.1  95% High-Assay Grade

The 95% grade is intended for projects requiring a high concentration of total copper chlorophyllins and is particularly relevant when the customer is evaluating the EU E141(ii) specification.

7.2 Other Commercial Grades

Lower-assay or different color-strength products may also be available for applications that do not require the 95% E141(ii) assay specification.

The appropriate grade should therefore be selected according to the target market, application and customer specification rather than by color strength alone.

 

8. Documentation for EU Market Evaluation

For customers evaluating this product for the EU market, technical documentation can be provided for review.

 

9. Applications

9.1 Food Coloring

Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin can be used as a green coloring ingredient in suitable food formulations where its use is permitted.

9.2 Beverages

Its water-soluble nature makes it suitable for selected aqueous beverage formulations, subject to the requirements of the final application.

9.3 Nutritional and Functional Foods

The ingredient can be considered for nutritional food formulations where a concentrated green coloring ingredient is required.

9.4 Powdered Food Products

The powder format is convenient for dry blends, powdered beverages and other dry formulation systems.

9.5 Food Ingredient Blends

Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin can also be incorporated into customized color systems and ingredient blends according to customer requirements.

 

 Specification Table

Parameter	Specification
Product Name	Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin 95%
Common Name	Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin
E Number	E141(ii), where applicable
Regulatory Category	Copper Complexes of Chlorophyllins
Botanical Source	Alfalfa / Lucerne
Plant Material	Alfalfa
Appearance	Dark green to blue-black powder
Assay	Total copper chlorophyllins ≥95%
Color	Green to dark green, depending on concentration and formulation
Solubility	Water-soluble
Spectrometric Parameters	According to applicable E141(ii) specification
Form	Fine Powder

Note: The 95% assay refers to total copper chlorophyllins and is not a color-strength grade. For EU projects, the complete applicable E141(ii) specification should be reviewed together with the product TDS and COA.

 

10. Applications

10.1 Food Coloring Applications

Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin 95% can be used as a concentrated green coloring ingredient in suitable food applications where E141(ii) is permitted.

10.2 Beverage Formulations

The water-soluble powder can be considered for selected liquid and powdered beverage systems requiring green coloration.

10.3 Nutritional Foods

The product can be incorporated into nutritional and functional food formulations where a high-assay green coloring ingredient is required.

10.4 Powdered Beverages

Its powder format makes it suitable for dry beverage mixes and other powdered food systems.

10.5 Customized Color Systems

For customers developing specific formulations, the product can be evaluated together with other food ingredients to achieve the desired color and processing characteristics.

 

FAQ

1. Is the 95% specification the color strength?

No. The 95% specification refers to the content of total copper chlorophyllins. It is an assay value, not a color-strength grade.

2. Is Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin the same as E141(ii)?

Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin is listed as a synonym for E141(ii) Copper Complexes of Chlorophyllins in the EU specification. However, a product intended for the EU market should meet the applicable specification parameters rather than relying on the product name alone.

3. Is the product made from alfalfa?

Yes. This grade is manufactured using alfalfa as the botanical raw material. Alfalfa, or lucerne, is included in the EU definition of the source materials for E141(ii).

4. Does 95% mean the product is automatically EU compliant?

No. The 95% assay is an important requirement, but EU E141(ii) specifications also include identification and purity parameters such as spectrometric values, solvent residues, heavy metals, copper ions and total copper.

5. Can you provide a TDS for EU evaluation?

Yes. We can provide the available TDS and relevant technical information for customers evaluating the product against their EU requirements.

6. Can you provide a batch COA?

Yes. A batch-specific COA can be provided according to the relevant production batch and customer requirements.

7. Do you supply Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin in bulk?

Yes. Bulk supply is available for qualified B2B customers. Packaging and order quantities can be discussed according to the project requirements.

8. Can you provide samples for testing?

Samples can be arranged for qualified customers who need to evaluate the material in their own formulation or laboratory testing.

 

Supply & Customization

We supply Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin 95% from alfalfa for B2B ingredient and food-coloring applications.

Available supply options can be discussed according to:

• Required assay
• Application
• Target market
• Packaging format
• Order quantity
• Documentation requirements
• Sample requirements

If your project specifically requires E141(ii) 95% total copper chlorophyllins, we recommend reviewing the product specification against your internal requirements before proceeding to commercial production.