There have been reports of efforts to increase the stability of
bixin to render it suitable for a broader range of applications, by incorporating this molecule into the surface or interlayer space of clay minerals.
Bianchi, "Antioxidant action of
bixin against cisplatin-induced chromosome aberrations and lipid peroxidation in rats," Pharmacological Research, vol.
Bixin oil extraction generates a large amount of byproducts in the form of annatto seeds that are impregnated with both the oil used in extraction, and residual pigment.
About 80% of this pigment is the carotenoid known as
bixin, which has the dye property and can be extracted with vegetable oils or chemical bases.
reported improved glucose and lipid profile in response to
Bixin, a annotto carotenoid, in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic model.
Matioli, "Interaction of curcumin and
bixin with [beta]-cyclodextrin: complexation methods, stability, and applications in food," Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, vol.
Biosynthesis of the food and cosmetic plant pigment
bixin (annatto).
Considered a natural colorant as the seeds of this plant contain natural pigments
bixin and norbixin.
Extraction of
bixin from annatto seeds using supercritical carbon dioxide.
He remarks that "the red colour of the seedcoat is the most common food carotenoid additive (
bixin) and the tocotrienol acts as a protectant to the unstable carotenoid against photo-oxidation." To date, annatto is the only known source of tocotrienol that is naturally free of tocopherol and asserts the highest content of the powerful delta-tocotrienol.