Extraction of bixin from annatto seeds using combined technologies

Obtaining Bixin- and Tocotrienol-Rich Extracts from Peruvian Annatto Seeds Using Supercritical CO2 Extraction: Experimental and Economic Evaluation

Currently, Bixa orellana L. extracts are used as a color source in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries because they are important as a potential source of antioxidant activity. The extraction is carried out by conventional methods, using alkaline solutions or organic solvents. These extraction methods do not take advantage of the lipid fraction of annatto (Bixa orellana L.) seeds, and the process is not friendly to the environment. In this work, the objective was to obtain an extract rich in nutraceuticals (bixin and tocols) of high antioxidant power from Peruvian annatto seeds as a potential source for a functional food or additive in the industry using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Experiments related to extraction yield, bixin, tocotrienols, tocopherols, and antioxidant activity were carried out. The SFE was performed at 40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C, and 100, 150, and 250 bar with 0.256 kg/h carbon dioxide as the supercritical solvent (solvent-to-feed ratio of 10.2). Supercritical extraction at 60 °C and 250 bar presented the best results in terms of global extraction yield of 1.40 ± 0.01 g/100 g d.b., extract concentration of 0.564 ± 0.005 g bixin/g extract, 307.8 mg α-tocotrienol/g extract, 39.2 mg β-tocotrienol/g extract, 2 mg γ-tocopherol/g extract, and IC50 of 989.96 μg extract/mL. Economical evaluation showed that 60 °C, 250 bar, and 45 min presented the lowest cost of manufacturing (2 × 2000 L, COM of USD 212.39/kg extract). This extract is a potential source for functional food production.

Ethanol-Based Extraction of Annatto (Bixa Orellana L.) and Characterization of the Bixin and Norbixin

Bixa orellana dye was extracted from the seeds by the method of Soxhlet extraction using ethanol where a percentage yield of 31.4 was obtained. Recrystallization of the dye was performed using chloroform and ethanol to increase the degree of purity. Thin layer chromatography was used to separate the dye into Bixin and Norbixin with Rf values of 0.56 and 0.42, respectively. The extracted dye was pH sensitive, insoluble in water but soluble in some organic solvents like ethanol and acetic acid. Characterization by UV-vis spectroscopy showed maximum absorption for Bixin and Norbixin at 457 and 453 nm, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectra of Bixin and Norbixin showed bands confirming similar functional groups for both Bixin and Norbixin except for -CO- stretching and methylene vibration which was absent in Norbixin. With the yield, purity level, and other properties of the extracted dye, the comparative advantages of ethanol-based Soxhlet extraction of the dye were well established.

Green Extraction of Annatto Seed Oily Extract and Its Use as a Pharmaceutical Material for the Production of Lipid Nanoparticles

This work developd nanomaterials formulated from annatto seed oily extract (ASE), myristic acid (tetradecanoic acid), and their fatty acid esters. The annatto seed oily extract was obtained using only soybean oil (ASE + SO) and Brazil nut oil (ASE + BNO). The UV/VIS analysis of the oily extracts showed three characteristic peaks of the bixin molecule at 430, 456 and 486 nm. The lipid nanoparticles obtained using myristic acid and ASE + BNO or only BNO showed better results than the oil soybean extract, i.e., the particle size was <200 nm, PDI value was in the range of 0.2−0.3, and had no visual physical instability as they kept stable for 28 days at 4 °C. Lipid nanoemulsions were also produced with esters of myristic acid and ASE + BNO. These fatty acid esters significantly influenced the particle size of nanoemulsions. For instance, methyl tetradecanoate led to the smallest particle size nanoemulsions (124 nm), homogeneous size distribution, and high physical stability under 4 and 32 °C for 28 days. This work demonstrates that the chemical composition of vegetable oils and myristic acid esters, the storage temperature, the chain length of fatty acid esters (FAE), and their use as co-lipids improve the physical stability of lipid nanoemulsions and nanoparticles from annatto seed oily extract.

Hybrid Lipid/Clay Carrier Systems Containing Annatto Oil for Topical Formulations

Nanocomposites formed by clay and lipid carriers (NLCs) show a high potential for providing controlled release and specific delivery of bioactive molecules and have recently gained attention in the pharmaceutical sector due to their ability to transport hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. Recent studies have recognized the biological activity of the oil of Bixa orellana L. (AO) with regards to its healing, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-leishmanial properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study is the preparation and characterization of hybrid systems based on lipid nanocarriers and laponite for the delivery of AO. NLCs were prepared by the fusion-emulsification method, using cetyl palmitate (CP) or myristyl myristate (MM), AO, and Poloxamer 188. The morphology, hydrodynamic diameters, zeta potential (ZP), polydispersity index (PDI), thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), viscosity behavior, and cytotoxicity testing of the hybrid systems were performed. The thermal study and X-ray diffraction analyses (XRD) revealed polymorphic structural changes compatible with the amorphization of the material. Rheological assays highlighted a typical pseudoplastic behavior in all systems (MM and CP with LAP). The hybrid systems’ morphology, size diameters, and PDIs were similar, preset spherical and monodisperse structures (≈200 nm; <0.3), without significant change up to sixty days. The ZP values differed from each other, becoming higher with increasing AO concentration. XEDS spectra and elemental X-ray maps show peaks of lipids (organic components, C and O) and inorganic components O, Mg, and Si. All samples showed cell viability above 60%. The results indicated a stable, biocompatible hybrid system that can be an alternative for topical application.

Kinetics and bixine extraction time from achiote (Bixa Orellana L.)

The effects of the use of solvents (96% ethanol and PEG 400), solute ratios: solvent (1: 4 and 1: 6 w/w), extraction temperatures (50 and 60 °C) and leaching techniques (conventional and assisted by ultrasound) on the concentration and time of extraction of bixin from Achiote (Bixa Orellana L.) were evaluated. The extraction kinetics were constructed, and their orders were determined. The experimental values were adjusted through the mathematical models of Peleg and Azuara. ANOVA was used based on a 2³ design, blocking type of technology. The kinetics showed two stages of extraction: rapid and slow. The reaction orders were decimal numbers, which indicates the complexity of the extraction mechanism. The highest orders of reaction (2.97 and 2.075) were presented with extraction with ultrasound-assisted and ethanol as solvent, at 50 and 60 °C and solute solvent ratio 1: 4 and 1: 6, respectively. The concentration of Bixin was increased by approximately 30% by increasing the temperature. The Azuara model presented the highest adjustment with a standard error < 0.1. The conventional leaching with PEG-400 required the lowest activation energy (9.2 kJ / mol) and with this treatment in 66 min the highest concentration of bixin (2.74 mgBix / gExt) was obtained. It was concluded that ultrasound-assisted leaching facilitates the extraction of bixin pigment, and the use of PEG 400 solvent is useful to obtain higher yields.

Annatto Oil Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: A Potential New Treatment for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Annatto (Bixa orellana L.) is extensively used as food pigment worldwide. Recently, several studies have found it to have healing and antioxidant properties, as well as effective action against leishmaniasis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to incorporate the oil obtained from annatto seeds into a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) and evaluate its physicochemical properties and biological activity against Leishmania major. Nanoparticles were prepared by the fusion-emulsification and ultrasonication method, with the components Synperonic™ PE (PL) as the surfactant, cetyl palmitate (CP) or myristyl myristate (MM) as solid lipids, annatto oil (AO) (2% and 4%, w/w) as liquid lipid and active ingredient, and ultra-pure water. Physicochemical and biological characterizations were carried out to describe the NLCs, including particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (ZP) by dynamic light scattering (DLS), encapsulation efficiency (EE%), thermal behavior, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), cytotoxicity on BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts and immortalized human keratinocyte cells, and anti-leishmaniasis activity in vitro. Nanoparticles presented an average diameter of ~200 nm (confirmed by TEM results), a PDI of less than 0.30, ZP between -12.6 and -31.2 mV, and more than 50% of AO encapsulated in NLCs. Thermal analyses demonstrated that the systems were stable at high temperatures with a decrease in crystalline structure due to the presence of AOs (confirmed by XRD). In vitro, the anti-leishmania test displayed good activity in encapsulating AO against L. major. The results indicate that the oily fraction of Bixa orellana L. in NLC systems should be evaluated as a potential therapeutic agent against leishmaniasis.

Strategies to meet the global demand for natural food colorant bixin: A multidisciplinary approach

Bixin is an apocarotenoid derived from Bixa orellana L. well known as a food colorant along with its numerous industrial and therapeutic applications. With the current surge in usage of natural products, bixin has contributed immensely to the world carotenoid market and showcases a spike in its requirement globally. To bridge the gap between bixin availability and utility, owed to its bioactivity and demand as a colouring agent in industries the sustainable production of bixin is critical. Therefore, to meet up this challenge effective use of multidisciplinary strategies is a promising choice to enhance bixin quantity and quality. Here we report, an optimal blend of approaches directed towards manipulation of bixin biosynthesis pathway with an insight into the impact of regulatory mechanisms and environmental dynamics, engineering carotenoid degradation in plants other than annatto, usage of tissue culture techniques supported with diverse elicitations, molecular breeding, application of in silico predictive tools, screening of microbial bio-factories as alternatives, preservation of bixin bioavailability, and promotion of eco-friendly extraction techniques to play a collaborative role in promoting sustainable bixin production.

Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from acerola waste

The industrial processing of acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) produces huge quantities of waste material that are badly discarded or undervalued. In spite of this, acerola wastes have a high content of antioxidant compounds. The aim of this work was to study the extraction of antioxidant compounds from acerola residues using ultrasound assisted extraction. Using multiple regression techniques, the effects of ethanol concentration in the hydroethanolic solution (C), extraction time (t), temperature (T), and liquid-solid ratio (R) on the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant potential were investigated. The best extraction conditions were identified using the desirability function, which is a multi-response optimization technique. The optimal processing parameters were 67.5% of ethanol concentration, temperature of 80.9 °C, liquid/solid ratio of 59.8 mL/g, and extraction time of 13.6 min. HPLC-UV has been used to identify the main antioxidant compounds obtained under these optimal condition. Based on the results, acerola waste has high potential for better use, such as in food and pharmaceutical applications.

Effects of Annatto (Bixa orellana L.) Seeds Powder on Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Pork Patties during Refrigerated Storage

This study investigated the effect of the powder produced by ball-milling the outer layer of annatto (Bixa orellana L.) seeds on the physicochemical properties as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of pork patties over 14 d of refrigerated storage (4±1℃). Five pork patty treatments were produced containing three different concentrations of annatto seeds, 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5% (ANT0.1, ANT0.25, ANT0.5), 0.1% ascorbic acid (AA0.1), and a control (CTL). Based on the results, annatto seed powder appeared to show antioxidant activity. The Hunter color values of pork patties were affected by the addition of annatto seed powder, which increased the redness and yellowness values, but decreased the lightness of the patties (p<0.05). To evaluate the antioxidative effects of annatto on pork patties, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and peroxide values (POV) were analyzed over 14 d of refrigerated storage. Treatments containing annatto seed showed lower TBARS and POV than control (CTL) samples (p<0.05). The volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) of the pork patties containing annatto seeds were lower than that of CTL at the end of storage (p<0.05). Although no differences in total bacterial counts were observed between control and treated patties, those containing annatto seeds had lower microbial counts for Enterobacteriacease than CTL or AA 0.1%. Therefore, annatto seed powder might be a good source of natural antioxidants for the production of meat products.