A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF BIXIN DYE FROM ANNATTO (BIXA ORELLANA L) SEEDS

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of bixin dye from annatto (Bixa orellana L) seeds. Annatto extracts obtained from the seeds of the tropical shrub Bixa orellana L.have wide spread use in the food industry for the colouring of many commodities. The principal colouring component of annatto seeds is the liposoluble diapocarotenoid 9'-cis-bixin, which is the monomethyl ester of the water soluble 9'-cis-norbixin. The process involves the removal of unwanted resinous matter using hexane/petroleum ether from annatto seeds by adopting soxhlet extractions techniques for about 8-12h. The same seeds are again subjected to soxhlet extraction by using acetone for an 8-12h. The dye settled in the recovery flask during the soxhlet extraction is collected as high bixin dye (66-92% bixin) by separating the miscella using techniques such as decantation/ siphoning/ filtration/ centrifugation