Annato Seed
bixa orellana

Protein

Synonyms
Annotta Orellana Orleana

PARTS USED
Dried pulp of the fruit.
whole annato seed

HABITAT
Tropical America, East and West Indies.
Widely cultivated in Asia and Africa.

ANNATTO is a vegetable coloring material
obtained from the pulpy substance surrounding
the seeds of the plant bixa orellana,
which belongs to the family BIXACEA.

It’s coloring properties are mainly attributed
to it’s constituent carotenoid, Bixin,
which comprises 70 - 80 %
of the total pigment mass surrounding
each individual Annatto seed.

The remainder of the pigment mass consists
of a water soluble yellow dye, orellin,
methyl-bixin, B-carotne, cryptoxanthin,
lutein and zeaxanthin are reported,
the tinctorial strength of which is
very much less than that of Bixin.

Norbixin is the principal coloring matter
of water soluble products.

Annatto preparations
are pH sensitive and the sensitivity
is of practical significance in low pH foods
where the color may turn pink.

It is reported to be most stable at Ph 8,
with decreased stability
in the Ph 1 to Ph 8 region.

Annatto coloring is prepared in, and is
commercially available in the following forms:
OIL SOLUBLE ANNATTO
BIXIN CRYSTALS
ANNATTO WATER SOLUBLE POWDER
ANNATTO OLEO RESIN
REGULATORY STATUS

ANNATTO colors are in commpliance
with directives of the EEC. Color N0:
e 160 (b) Color Index N0. (CI) 75.120

ANNATTO is specified
in the Food Chemical Codex of USA vide
N0. 73.30, 73.1030 & 73.2030 and is
Generally Recommended As Safe (GRAS)
for human consumption in usage of Food Products

TOXICITY
Annatto dye has been proved non-carcinogenic.

USES
Dairy Industry for coloring butter, ghree, cheese,
margarine, ice-cream, chocolate, meat, cereals,
confectionery, spices, etc.

Coloring of hair-oils, shoe polishes, floor polishes,
nail-gloss, furniture, brass-lacquer, soap,
cosmetics and pharmaceutical ointments.

Dyeing of wool and calico, leather.


CLINICAL REFERENCES
USES