The invention relates to spray-dried, washfast dye compositions (preferably in the form of pigment powders) having a bleeding rate of ?0.5% and consisting of water-soluble functional dyes, preferably food dyes, which are firmly incorporated in a silica matrix. Apart from low bleeding of dye, these compositions are remarkable for their high stability to pH changes and/or ascorbic acid. The invention is also directed to the production of the dye compositions and the use thereof. The dye compositions are preferably employed in coloring foods, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, but also in other uses.

The invention relates to spray-dried, washfast dye compositions (preferably in the form of pigment powders) having a bleeding rate of ?0.5% and consisting of water-soluble functional dyes, preferably food dyes, which are firmly incorporated in a silica matrix. Apart from low bleeding of dye, these compositions are remarkable for their high stability to pH changes and/or ascorbic acid. The invention is also directed to the production of the dye compositions and the use thereof. The dye compositions are preferably employed in coloring foods, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, but also in other uses.

The invention relates to spray-dried, washfast dye compositions, preferably in the form of pigment powders, having a bleeding rate of 0.5% and consisting of water-soluble functional dyes, preferably food dyes, which are firmly incorporated in a silica matrix. Apart from low bleeding of dye, these compositions are remarkable for their high stability to pH changes and/or ascorbic acid. The invention is also directed to the production of the dye compositions and the use thereof. The dye compositions are preferably employed in coloring foods, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, but also in other uses.

The invention relates to spray-dried, washfast dye compositions, preferably in the form of pigment powders, having a bleeding rate of 0.5% and consisting of water-soluble functional dyes, preferably food dyes, which are firmly incorporated in a silica matrix. Apart from low bleeding of dye, these compositions are remarkable for their high stability to pH changes and/or ascorbic acid. The invention is also directed to the production of the dye compositions and the use thereof. The dye compositions are preferably employed in coloring foods, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, but also in other uses.

The present invention is to provide a color material dispersion liquid for color filter, which has excellent heat resistance and is able to form a high-luminance coating film. Disclosed is a color material dispersion liquid for color filters, including: (A) a color material, (B) a dispersant and (C) a solvent, wherein the color material (A) contains (A-1) a color material represented by the following general formula (I) and (A-2) a metal lake color material of a rhodamine-based acid dye:

##STR00001##

(symbols in the general formula (I) are as described in the Description.)

Disclosed is a color material dispersion liquid for color filter, which has excellent heat resistance and is able to form a high-luminance coating film. The color material dispersion liquid for color filters includes (A) a color material, (B) a dispersant and (C) a solvent. The color material (A) contains (A-1) a color material represented by the following general formula (I) and (A-2) a metal lake color material of a rhodamine-based acid dye: ##STR00001##

An object of the present invention is to provide a pigment composition and an ink (in particular, a waterborne ink) that can reduce a viscosity increase over time when an azo lake pigment is used as a pigment and also have excellent color strength and gloss in printed products. The pigment composition according to the present invention includes a divalent metal lake azo pigment, and 0.1% by weight to 20% by weight of a divalent metal salt of a mono- or di-carboxylic acid compound. The divalent metal of the divalent metal salt is preferably an alkaline earth metal ion. The mono- or di-carboxylic acid compound is preferably a mono- or di-carboxylic acid compound having a carbon number of 4 to 20.

Methods for reducing and regulating the acidification of water are provided. The method for reducing the acidification of water includes contacting at least one melanin material with the water and catalyzing a reaction between the water, CO.sub.2 and/or bicarbonate that produces glucose and increases pH of the water. The acidification of water is regulated by removing the at least one melanin material from the water once a desired pH of the water has been attained. The methods for reducing and regulating the acidification of water are particularly suited for the treatment of seawater that has been acidified by naturally occurring or artificially initiated reactions that increase free hydrogen ions in water, for example absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Methods for reducing and regulating the acidification of water are provided. The method for reducing the acidification of water includes contacting at least one melanin material with the water and catalyzing a reaction between the water, CO.sub.2 and/or bicarbonate that produces glucose and increases pH of the water. The acidification of water is regulated by removing the at least one melanin material from the water once a desired pH of the water has been attained. The methods for reducing and regulating the acidification of water are particularly suited for the treatment of seawater that has been acidified by naturally occurring or artificially initiated reactions that increase free hydrogen ions in water, for example absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

The present invention relates to dry particulate encapsulation compositions comprising a water-insoluble matrix comprising at least 70% by weight of proteins, based on the total weight of the matrix and a moisture content of about 5 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the matrix and an encapsulate encapsulated in the matrix, wherein the matrix once wetted in a clear colorless aqueous solution or in mineral oil has a lightness value (L*) greater than about 40, a color vividness or Chroma (C*) lower than about 33 and a hue angle between about 70 and 90. The encapsulation compositions of the present invention are useful in encapsulating dyes, medications and vitamins. Fine particulate encapsulation compositions comprising natural dyes can be used in lieu of artificial lakes in confectionery, cosmetics and caplets color coatings.