Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin (SCC): A Complete Buyer’s Guide for Formulators and Brands

Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin (SCC) has moved from a niche color additive to a multifunctional ingredient valued across food, nutraceutical, oral care, dermatology, and personal care. This guide explains what SCC is, how it works, quality specifications buyers should insist on, common applications, and practical tips for procurement, formulation, and compliance.

What Is Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin?

SCC is a semi-synthetic, water‑soluble derivative of chlorophyll—the green pigment naturally found in plants and algae. In SCC, the central magnesium ion in chlorophyll is replaced with copper and stabilized as a sodium salt. This structural change dramatically improves stability and water solubility versus natural chlorophyll, making SCC easier to formulate in aqueous systems and more resistant to pH, heat, and light compared to its botanical counterpart.

• Appearance: deep/dark green powder or granules
• Taste/odor: neutral to slightly saline, faint characteristic odor
• Solubility: readily soluble in water; dispersible in hydroalcoholic systems
• Typical uses: food colorant, dietary supplements, oral care deodorant, topical skincare, wound-care adjunct, and odor-control applications

Technical Specifications Buyers Commonly Request

Exact specs vary by grade and end‑use. Below is a representative specification set that many QC teams use as a starting point. Always align with your target pharmacopeia/food code and client SOPs.

• Chemical name: Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin
• CAS number: 11006-34-1
• Empirical formula (representative): C34H31CuN4Na3O6
• Assay (SCC content): typically ≥ 90%
• Copper content: typically ≤ 5%
• Sodium content: typically ≤ 10%
• Loss on drying: typically ≤ 8%
• Heavy metals (by ICP/MS or AAS, typical max limits):
  • Lead (Pb) ≤ 10 ppm
  • Arsenic (As) ≤ 3 ppm
  • Mercury (Hg) ≤ 1 ppm
  • Cadmium (Cd) ≤ 1 ppm
• Microbiology (typical limits):
  • Total plate count ≤ 1,000 CFU/g
  • Yeast & mold ≤ 100 CFU/g
  • E. coli: negative
  • Salmonella: negative
  • Staphylococcus aureus: negative
• Appearance: dark green powder or granules, uniform color
• Odor: slight, characteristic
• pH (1% solution): as per COA range (grade dependent)
• Storage: cool, dry, away from direct sunlight; tightly sealed
• Shelf life: typically 24–36 months in original, unopened packaging under recommended storage

Note: Food, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and medical grades may have different impurity limits, solvent residues, and documentation requirements. Request a grade‑appropriate COA, MSDS/SDS, allergen/GMO statements, and, where relevant, REACH/UK REACH declarations and conformity to regional additive codes.

Functional Benefits and Mechanisms (What R&D Teams Care About)

• Water solubility and robust green hue: Consistent coloring in beverages, gels, syrups, and confectionery compared to natural chlorophyll extracts.
• Stability: Copper substitution and sodium salting improve resistance to oxidation and degradation, supporting better color retention in processing and shelf life.
• Deodorizing action: Binds or neutralizes odor‑forming compounds (e.g., amines), supporting internal deodorant products and oral care freshness concepts.
• Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential: SCC is used in topical preparations and supplements where oxidative stress, redness, or irritation are concerns (formulator claims must align with regulations).
• Skin-care support: Used topically in products aimed at improving the look of photoaged skin, supporting barrier comfort, and reducing visible redness (claims and substantiation depend on your market).

Important: Health and therapeutic claims must be tailored to the regulatory framework in the target market (e.g., FSSAI in India, FSA in the UK, EFSA in EU, FDA/DSHEA in the US). Where clinical or mechanistic data exist, ensure your marketing language remains compliant.

Applications by Industry

• Food & Beverage: Natural‑leaning green colorant for beverages, confectionery, baked décor, sauces, dressings, and dairy analogs. Water solubility simplifies processing; coloring strength allows low inclusion rates.
• Nutraceuticals: Capsules, tablets, and liquid shots marketed for inner freshness, antioxidant support, and wellness positioning. Pair with complementary actives (e.g., prebiotics, herbal extracts) in compliant formulations.
• Oral Care: Mouthwashes and toothpastes focused on breath freshness and odor control; SCC can complement zinc salts and essential oils.
• Cosmetics & Personal Care: Cleansers, masks, serums, lotions designed for calming appearance, redness reduction, and complexion-evening aesthetics. Also useful as a color corrector in green-tinted formulas.
• Wound & Odor Management: Used historically in topical wound-care adjuncts and internal deodorant concepts where odor control is a priority (always follow medical device/drug compliance pathways where applicable).
• Deodorants: Incorporated in deodorant bases for odor neutralization narratives alongside common actives.

Formulation Tips and Best Practices

• Dissolution: Pre-wet with a small volume of warm deionized water, mix under moderate shear to avoid clumping. For hydroalcoholic systems, disperse in water phase first, then blend.
• pH Window: Color tone and stability can vary with pH. Many formulators target mildly acidic to neutral systems; validate hue and stability at intended pH.
• Chelation & Incompatibilities: Avoid strong chelators or excessive metal contaminants in the system. Validate with your base composition (e.g., phosphates, citrates).
• Light & Oxygen: Protect bulk solutions from excessive light and air exposure. Use opaque packaging or UV‑blocking bottles for liquids.
• Dosage & Labeling: Determine inclusion rates via bench trials; SCC has strong tinting strength. Align label names with local additive codes and ingredient naming conventions.
• Color Matching: Natural matrices (botanical beverages, dairy analogs) can shift perceived green. Conduct sensory and visual testing under standard lighting.

Quality, Compliance, and Documentation Checklist

When vetting suppliers and lots:

• COA with full test panel (assay, heavy metals, microbiology, solvent residues if applicable)
• SDS and technical data sheet (TDS)
• Allergen, GMO, BSE/TSE, vegan/halal/kosher statements (as required)
• Residual solvent statement (for pharma/cosmetic grades where relevant)
• Regulatory support:
  • Food: local additive status and compliance statements
  • Cosmetics: INCI listing and regional compliance support
  • Pharma/medical: documentation per the relevant pathway
• Stability data (accelerated/real‑time, if available)
• Batch samples for pre‑approval trials

Frequently Asked Buyer Questions (Answered)

• Why choose SCC over natural chlorophyll?
  Better water solubility and improved stability lead to consistent color, easier processing, and longer shelf life.
• Why do some batches look “lighter” or seem “less soluble”?
  Visual intensity depends on concentration, pH, and lighting. Incomplete dissolution is usually due to poor pre‑wetting, insufficient mixing, or incompatible excipients. Conduct standardized bench tests before concluding on quality.
• Can SCC support “clean label”?
  This varies by jurisdiction. Many brands position SCC as a plant‑derived, nature‑linked color solution. Always confirm permissible naming and additive designations in your target market.
• What storage conditions maximize shelf life?
  Keep sealed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Limit exposure to moisture and oxygen once opened.

Sample Specification 

Note: Actual specs are product- and grade‑specific and will be provided on the COA for each batch.

How K2 Ventures International Supports Your Project

• Grade options tailored for food, nutraceutical, oral care, and cosmetic use cases
• Consistent quality with tight heavy metal and micro limits
• Technical support for dissolution, color matching, and stability optimization
• Responsive documentation support for audits and market registrations
• Scalable supply with reliable lead times

Conclusion

Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin combines the natural heritage of chlorophyll with modern functionality: water solubility, improved stability, rich green coloration, and versatile applications from beverages to skincare. With the right grade selection, robust QC, and smart formulation practices, SCC can elevate both product performance and consumer appeal.

If you’d like a tailored spec sheet, regulatory guidance for your target market, or a dissolving and color‑matching protocol for your specific base, get in touch and we’ll prepare a technical pack aligned to your application.