University University of MissouriResearchers are turning a unique variety of corn into an effective natural alternative to artificial food dyes. In testing, researchers exposed purple corn colorants to elevated temperatures often utilized in food processing. Researchers also tested their purple colorants in a beverage system, one of the most demanding environments for natural dyes. That durability, combined with its potential health benefits, positions purple corn colorants as more than a niche ingredient. “That way, farmers can grow purple corn, and we can benefit from its healthy properties.”