Chemical Properties
orange,purple lustrous crystalline solid plates
Definition
ChEBI: A carotenoic acid that is the 6'-monomethyl ester of 9'-cis-6,6'-diapocarotene-6,6'-dioic acid.
Description
Bixin [CAS: 6983-79-5] (CI Natural Orange 4; CI 75120) is found in the seed of the plant Bixa orellana, native to India. Later it was found growing in South America, where the Indians used the red dye from the seeds as a body paint. An extract of the seeds appears on the market as annatto. This extract is used in coloring butter, margarine, and cheese such as Leicester cheese. In Mexican and South American cuisine, it finds special use as a flavor and coloring matter. Annato is available as an aqueous solution, as an oleaginous dispersion, and a spray-dried powder.
Occurrence
Bixin (CI Natural Orange 4; CI 75120) is found in the seed of the plant Bixa orellana, native to India. Later it was found growing in South America, where the Indians used the red dye from the seeds as a body paint. An extract of the seeds appears on the market as annatto. This extract is used in coloring butter, margarine, and cheese such as Leicester cheese. In Mexican and South American cuisine, it finds special use as a flavor and coloring matter. Annato is available as an aqueous solution, as an oleaginous dispersion, and a spray-dried powder.
General Description
Bixin is a methyl ester of a dibasic fatty acid. On treating with alkali, it is hydrolyzed to form water soluble norbixin. It is obtained in pure form from annatto seeds. Bixin is a carotenoid and estimated as yolk and skin pigmenter.
storage
4°C, protect from light
Purification Methods
Crystallise bixin from Me2CO (violet prisms) [Pattenden et al. J Chem Soc (C) 235 1970]. [Beilstein 2 III 2020, 2 IV 2455, H 30 110.]
