Huludao Mao Hua Biology.,Co., Ltd.

Huludao Maohua Biology extracts colour and functional compounds from plants, and purple sweet potato is its main raw material. It makes purple sweet potato anthocyanin and sweet potato colour, natural red to purple shades used in drinks, confectionery and dairy, alongside other health food ingredients.

The company runs a dedicated line for anthocyanin from purple sweet potato at Huludao in western Liaoning, an unusual choice of feedstock in an industry that mostly works from black carrot, grape skin and purple maize. It puts annual anthocyanin output at 200 tonnes. The colours are water soluble and pH sensitive, moving from red in acid systems towards purple as acidity falls, which sets the practical limit on where they can be used.