| Botanical Name | Bixa orellana |
| Common Name | Bixa orellana, Fam Bixaceae, Achiote, Anatta, Annato, Annotta, Aploppas, Arnotta, Arnotto, Orellana, Orlean, Orleana achiote, achiotec, achiotl, achote, annatto, urucu, beninoki, bija, eroya, jafara, kasujmba-kelling, kham thai, onoto, orleanstrauch, orucu-axiote, rocou, roucou, ruku, roucouyer, unane, uruku, urucum, urucu-üva |
| Country of Origin | Brazil |
| Solubility | water and fat soluble |
| Specific Gravity | 0.9264gm |
| Optical Rotation | -59.2 Deg |
| Refrective Index | 1.522–1.590 @ 20°C |
| PlantPart | seed |
| Bland With | This extract easily blends with water, emulsions and several oils. It also blends well with turmeric or paprika oleoresin |
| CAS No | 8008-79-5 |
| Flash Point | 170 °C |
| Extraction Method | Extraction |
Annatto is a yellow coloring, extracted from the fruits of tropical shrub Bixa orellana. This natural color is used in confectionery, butter, smoked fish and cheese. Also used as a spice, it provides a bright and exotic appearance to various types of dishes.
Annatto is the seed or extract from the achiote tree, which is indigenous to Latin and South America. Annatto is used heavily in Central and South America as a dye, medicine, and as an ingredient in many foods. Annatto is a naturally intense dye which can range in color from bright yellow to deep orange. Many commercially made food products utilize annatto for its potent color.
Color : yellow to red and slight characteristic scent,
Aroma : Characteristic odor
The seeds of annatto contain 40-45% cellulose, 3.5-5.5%sucrose, 0.3-0.9% essential oil, 3% fixed oil, 4.5-5.5% pigments, 13-16% protein and other constituents. It also contains tannins, ethereal oils, saponins, mustard oil like substances and sesquiterpenes
The largest use of annatto is for food coloring. It found usage in preserved meats, cheeses, sweets and variety of other foods. The red annatto dye extracted from the fruit pulp is extensively used in assortment of industries such as cosmetics, textiles and others. Mostly used as a dye, it also finds application in medical preparations such as ointments and plasters. Further, in India the pulp of the fruit is used as an insect repellent.
