Thermal Degradation Kinetics of Prickly‐Pear‐Fruit Red Pigment

The color stability of betacyanine from prickly pear was determined in the fruit juice at temperatures up to 90 °C. The degradation rates were dependent on pigment concentration, being slower for higher concentrations. The lack of a significant oxygen effect or inhibitory action of ascorbic acid did not support autooxidation as the exclusive chemical process responsible for decolorization.