Betalains

Betalains are a class of natural pigments widely occurring in plants and, more rarely, in higher fungi. They exert specific physiological functions, mainly related to plant pollination and protection against external agents. The variety of colors and bioactivities presented by betalains have justified their growing importance among academia and scientific communities, mainly for differentiated industrial applications (e.g., food, pharmaceutical, etc.). They have been mostly explored for natural colorants development as well as bioactive and functionalizing properties. In this context, many studies have been developed and patented on the extraction, processing, and stabilization of betalains from plant materials (including by-products), aiming to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the processes and the pigments integrity and affinity with distinct matrices for further applicability in several industrial fields. This chapter provides an overview of the chemical features of betalains and their main functions and properties and the most recent advances in novel and emerging technologies for extraction, processing, separation, and stabilization of these water-soluble pigments.