Use of Beta vulgaris as natural coloring agent for foods and cosmetics in Libya

Color is the main feature of any food item as it en ha ces the appeal and acceptability of food. Curren tly, there is increasing awareness among people towards natural d yes and dye yielding plants due to severe health pr oblems. Beet scientifically known as Beta vulgaris belongs to Chenopodiaceae family and locally known in Libya n markets as "Banjer". The present study aimed to study of be et from Libyan markets as coloring agent in food an cosmetic. Beet juice was prepared by hot extraction using met hanol and then examined for its activity against ba cteria by using the agar well diffusion method and also as an tioxidant by using 2,2, Diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (D PPH) assay. Beet juice also investigated phytochemically which indicated that beet is a rich source of flavonoids. Beet juice examined for the presence of aflatoxines (B1, B2, G 1and G2), the beet juice was free from mentioned to xic substances. Therefore, the juice is safe. Finally B eet juice was evaluated as a food (Cakes) and cosme tic (Hair dye) coloring agents. The juice showed a weak antioxidan t activity, good antimicrobial activity against gra m positive bacteria and accepted to many volunteers in color a nd taste questionnaires when it's added to homemade c k s. The ability of juice to augment of Henna color; the bes t mixture with long lasting coloring was a 50:50 mi xture.