Avocado seeds a source of natural color

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CHICAGO, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. food scientists say avocado seeds, typically considered waste by growers, could yield a natural orange coloring for use in future food products.

In a study published by the Institute of Food Technologists, researchers found that crushing avocado seeds along with air generates an orange color usable as a natural food coloring.

The discovery represents a potential added value for avocado growers and companies that process avocado into oil or food products such as guacamole, the researchers said.

While artificial colors are easy to produce and less expensive, consumer desire for more natural products here has led to an increased effort to discover new natural alternatives.

Scientists at Penn State say further research is under way into utilizing the seeds, which account for 16 percent of the weight of an average avocado.