Achiote (Bixa orellana L.) : a natural source of pigment and vitamin E

Commercialization of agricultural products, including seeds and its derived products, represents an important economic source for developing countries. Natural colorants obtained from the seeds of achiote plant (annatto) have been used since pre-Hispanic times. Also, production of this crop has been important for Mayan cuisine. Annual world production of achiote seeds is approximately 14,500 tons (dry weight). Two thirds of the production is commercialized as dried seeds and the rest as colorant. Latin America produces 60% of the total world production, followed by Africa (27%) and Asia (12%). The main producers in Latin America are Peru, Brazil and Mexico. The purpose of the present paper is to review the most recent literature on Bixa orellana L. focusing on bixin, norbixin, tocotrienols and tocopherols biosynthesis, use and industrial applications of annatto extracts, as well as its nutraceutical potential and its benefits for human health.

Instituto de Biotecnología

Fil: Raddatz-Mota, Denise. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa. Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud; México

Fil: Pérez Flores, Laura J. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa. Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud; México

Fil: Carrari, Fernando. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Mendoza-Espinoza, José Alberto. Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México. Departamento de Biología Humana; México

Fil: Díaz de León-Sánchez, Fernando. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa. Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud; México

Fil: Pinzón-López, Luis L. Instituto Tecnológico de Conkal; México

Fil: Godoy-Hernández, Gregorio. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán. Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas; México

Fil: Rivera Cabrera, Fernando. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa. Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud; México