The present invention relates to novel compositions containing finely dispersed carotenoids. The novel compositions of this invention can be used as colorants or additives for food, beverages, animal feeds, cosmetics or drugs. The colorant composition may be a liquid or a solid composition. The solid composition comprises at least one carotenoid which is dispersed in a matrix, wherein the matrix contains at least one carbohydrate and/or one modified carbohydrate and optionally, a protein, a modified protein or mixtures thereof, wherein the at least one carbohydrate and/or one modified carbohydrate is starch or modified starch, wherein the amount of starch or modified starch is from about 10 wt－% to 60 wt－% of based on the total weight of the matrix, and wherein the concentration of the at least one carotenoid is at least 2% based on the total weight of the composition. Preferably β－carotene is used as a solid water－dispersible colorant composition.本發明有關於一種包含精細分散之類葫蘿蔔素的新穎組成物，本發明的新穎組成物可用於食物、飲料、動物飼料、化妝品或藥品作為著色劑或添加劑。該著色劑組成物可以是液體或固體組成物，該固體組成物包含至少一分散在基質中的類葫蘿蔔素，其中該基質包含至少一碳水化合物及/或改質碳水化合物，與任擇的，一蛋白質、改質蛋白質或它們的混合物，而其中該至少一碳水化合物及/或改質碳水化合物是澱粉或改質澱粉，其中該澱粉或改質澱粉的數量是基於該基質全部重量的約10wt－%到60wt－%，且其中至少一該類葫蘿蔔素的濃度是基於該組成物全部重量的至少2%。較佳地，β－胡蘿蔔素係用作固體水分散性著色組成物。
