Division ‘E 160 b (i) ANNATTO BIXIN

Solvent-extracted bixin is obtained by the extraction of the outer coating of the seeds of the annatto tree (Bixa orellana L.) with one or more of the following food grade solvents: acetone, methanol, hexane, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, alkaline alcohol or supercritical carbon dioxide. The resulting preparation may be acidified, followed by the removal of the solvent, drying and milling.

Solvent-extracted bixin contains several coloured components; the major colouring principle is cis-bixin, a minor colouring principle is trans-bixin; thermal degradation products of bixin may also be present as a result of processing.

Not less than 85 % colouring matter (expressed as bixin)

E^{1 %} _1cm 3090 at ca. 487 nm in tetrahydrofuran and acetone

Acetone: Not more than 30 mg/kg

Methanol: Not more than 50 mg/kg

Hexane: Not more than 25 mg/kg

Ethanol:

Isopropyl alcohol:

Ethyl acetate:

Aqueous-processed bixin is prepared by the extraction of the outer coating of the seeds of the annatto tree (Bixa orellana L.) by abrading the seeds in the presence of cold, mildly-alkaline water. The resultant preparation is acidified to precipitate bixin which is then filtered, dried and milled.

Aqueous-processed bixin contains several coloured components; the major colouring principle is cis-bixin, a minor colouring principle is trans-bixin; thermal degradation products of bixin may also be present as a result of processing.

Not less than 25 % colouring matter (expressed as bixin)

E^{1 %} _1cm 3090 at ca. 487 nm in tetrahydrofuran and acetone