ANNATTO EXTRACTS (addendum)

摘要

Annatto extracts are obtained from the outer layer of the seeds of the tropical tree Bixa orellana. The principal pigment in annatto extract is c/s-bixin, which is contained in the resinous coating of the seed itself. Processing primarily entails theremoval of the pigment by abrasion of the seeds in an appropriate suspending agent. Traditionally, water or vegetable oil is used for this purpose, although solvent extraction is also employed to produce annatto extracts with a higher content of pigment.Microcrystalline bixin products of 80-97% purity have been developed in response to the need for more concentrated annatto extracts.