Search Results (28)

Bixin, an apocarotenoid from Bixa orellana seeds, is a valuable natural pigment with industrial and pharmacological applications. Traditional extraction methods rely on organic solvents, but eco-friendly alternatives like silk fibroin solution (SFS) are emerging. This study evaluated SFS for bixin extraction from annatto seeds, optimizing conditions using Box-Behnken Design (BBD). The optimal parameters 1.5% SFS, 60 °C, and 60 min yielded 10.87 mg/mL (liquid extract of annatto seeds, LEAS + SFS) and 150.72 mg/g (solid extract of annatto seeds, SEAS + SFS). Cell viability was assessed in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFn) and RAW 264.7 murine macrophages via MTT assay. After 24 and 72 h, LEAS + SFS, SEAS + SFS, purified bixin (PB), and SFS maintained >70% viability in HDFn cells. Similarly, RAW 264.7 cells showed >70% viability after 24 h, indicating low cytotoxicity. These results highlight the biocompatibility of SFS-extracted bixin, supporting its potential in food, cosmetics, and biomedicine. The study demonstrates that SFS is an effective, sustainable alternative to traditional solvents, offering high extraction efficiency and minimal toxicity. This method aligns with green chemistry principles, providing a promising solution for bixin production. Full article

Morus nigra L., or mulberry, is a susceptible fleshy fruit due to its high respiratory rate and low storage stability, which shortens its shelf life and makes it difficult to commercialize in natura. Edible coatings, thin membranes produced directly on the desired surface, could improve food preservation, among other properties. Annatto (Bixa orellana L.) seeds are natural pigments with high antioxidant activity. This work aimed to develop a pectin-based edible coating with annatto extract to increase the shelf life of fruits, using mulberries as a study model. The mulberries were randomly separated into five groups: without coating, coated with different extract concentrations (0%, 5%, and 10%), and a layer-by-layer treatment consisting of a pectin layer under a 10% extract layer. The samples were evaluated for the following parameters: titratable acidity, maturity index, mass loss, pH, soluble solids, moisture contents, and bioactive compounds. The coated group with 10% annatto extract had the best result for the maturity index (25.52), while the group with 5% showed better mass loss and moisture (37.28% and 83.66%, respectively). Herein, it was demonstrated that pectin-based edible coatings with annatto extract delay the maturation and senescence of mulberries, preserving the bioactive compounds and increasing shelf life. Full article

Annatto (Bixa orellana L.) is cultivated primarily for the extraction of bixin, a natural dye with substantial industrial importance, resulting in the generation of large quantities of residues that remain underutilized. This study provides the first in-depth characterization of annatto byproducts derived through molecular distillation, highlighting their untapped potential for sustainable innovation. Employing state-of-the-art techniques—HS-SPME-GC-MS for volatile compounds and UPLC-MS/QTOF for non-volatile ones—the research identified a remarkable array of bioactive constituents. Over thirty pharmacologically significant compounds were unveiled, many appearing for the first time in annatto byproducts. Notable discoveries include diterpenoid alcohols, oleamide, δ-tocotrienol, n-alkanes, fatty acid methyl esters, and springene among the volatiles. Among the non-volatiles, groundbreaking identifications such as dihydroactinidiolide, dihydrochalcone, 3-phenyl propiofenone, novel tetracosan amides, halisphingosine A, kauranetriols, and phytoene derivatives redefine the chemical profile of this residue. Further amplifying the value of these findings, the study successfully transformed these byproducts into innovative antioxidant packaging materials, demonstrating their high potential for food preservation and sustainable applications. The packaging films, developed from samples devoid of vegetable oil, exhibited robust antioxidant properties, offering a compelling solution to extend shelf life and reduce spoilage. This work underscores the importance of revalorizing agricultural residues like annatto byproducts, turning waste into high-value resources that align with the principles of the circular economy. Full article

A meta-analysis of 28 sources of information was conducted, considering different variables in Bixa orellana, with the aim of identifying bioprospective variables. Variables were approached, such as the organ of extraction and extraction method, with 63 biochemical classes and 20 for biological activity, and their states were codified. The statistical analysis was developed through a cladistics analysis using the WinClada version1.00.08 84,85 software and the explicative accumulated variance was determined through a descriptive multivariate analysis and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA). The tree obtained showed the phenotype Africa1 as the one closest to the basal state. After Africa1, nine clades are derived and the phenotypes Colombia3 and Colombia5 were the most evolved. The analyses demonstrated that in B. orellana L., the phenotypes from India, Brazil, and Yucatán present anticancer activity against the cell lines U251, MCF-7, HeLa, NCI-H460, PC-3, A549 and HT-29, as well as biological activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, related primarily with biochemical compounds such as geranylgeraniol, ellagic acid, and carotenoids (bixin and norbixin), naringenin and alkaloids. The conditions of reproductive isolation of the phenotypes mentioned before providing the ideal agroclimatic conditions to produce compounds with biological activity. Full article

Annatto, a tropical shrub from Central and South America and parts of India, contains Bixin, an apocarotenoid pigment. Bixin is conventionally used as a natural food colorant and is now receiving attention for its health-promoting nutraceutical properties, particularly in chronic diseases (metabolic syndrome—MetS—and cancers). This study investigates the dose-dependent anti-obesity and anti-steatotic effects of Bixin in in vitro cell culture models. The anti-adipogenic and anti-steatotic effects of Bixin were examined in well-established in vitro models of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/steatosis) using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes (by a differentiation protocol) and HepG2cells (steatosis-induced with oleic acid), respectively. Bixin was administered in the following concentration range: 1 μg mL⁻¹–20 μg mL⁻¹ (obesity model) and 2.5 μg mL⁻¹–10 μg mL⁻¹ (NAFLD/steatosis model). The neutral lipid content was estimated by Oil Red O staining; ROS/RNS were quantified by 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) and nitrite assays; and malondialdehyde (MDA), the biochemical marker of lipid peroxidation, was assessed by TBARS assay. At lower concentrations, 5 μg mL⁻¹ in steatotic cells and 10 μg mL⁻¹ in matured adipocytes, Bixin significantly reduced lipid accumulation in both hepatocytes and adipocytes (p < 0.05), demonstrating its potential as an anti-steatotic and anti-obesity agent. This beneficial effect was correlated with a reduction in oxidative stress levels (decreased MDA and ROS/RNS levels). Strikingly, at higher concentrations (>10 μg mL⁻¹), Bixin showed increased lipid accumulation and oxidative stress. Bixin exhibits anti-obesity and anti-steatotic effects at lower doses, which correlates with its antioxidant properties. However, its bioactivity is dose-dependent, meaning that at higher concentrations, it ceases to inhibit adipogenesis. This opposing response is accompanied by elevated oxidative stress levels, indicating a pro-oxidant effect at higher doses, which suggests its anti-cancer potential. The present study highlights the significance of dosage optimization of nutraceuticals and dietary ingredients with respect to their intended biological applications, such as MetS and cancer treatment. Full article

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate the potential synergy between pharmaceutical formulations containing Bixa orellana L. (granulated—CHR OR and injectable nanodispersion—CHR IN) in conjunction with a cannabidiol (CBD)-rich extract of Cannabis sativa L. (CSE) on experimental pain models in Wistar rats. Methods: Chemical analysis was performed using gas chromatography (GC-MS). The pain tests employed were acetic acid-induced writhing (injection i.p. of 0.9% acetic acid), formalin (solution 1%), hot plate (55 ± 0.5 °C), and cold-water tail withdrawal tests. Results: Chemical analyses by chromatography confirmed that the oil from B. orellana is rich in δ-tocotrienol (72.0 ± 1.0%), while the oil from Cannabis sativa highlighted the presence of cannabidiol (CBD). The results from the experimental pain tests indicated that the combined administration of formulations containing Bixa orellana and C. sativa, such as the granulated CHR OR (400 mg/kg, orally) with CSE (40 mg/kg, orally) or the nanodispersion CHR IN (10 mg/kg, intramuscularly) with CSE (40 mg/kg, orally), demonstrated significant results (p < 0.001) in pain reduction. Although the formulations containing Bixa orellana extract showed statistical significance in the tests when used in isolation, their effects were inferior compared to the combined use with CSE or the isolated use of CSE. These findings suggest that combining formulations containing extracts of these plant species may represent a viable therapeutic option, considering the synergistic action in reducing pain under the experimental conditions employed. Conclusions: these results imply that combining the phytocomplexes present in B. orellana and C. sativa may be a promising approach for pain treatment. Full article

Essential oils are investigated due to their biological activity, and the Amazon rainforest, with its rich biodiversity, is a promising source of therapeutic compounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the essential oil from the leaves of Bixa orellana as an antifungal agent, thus contributing to the search for alternatives that can address the growing resistance to conventional antifungals. B. orellana leaves were collected in the Ecuadorian Amazon and their essential oil was obtained by steam distillation. Their chemical composition was analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and their antifungal activity against Candida albicans was evaluated using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method (ATCC 10231), with nystatin as a positive control. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 60 compounds, the main ones being dihydroedulan (27.5%), β-caryophyllene (10.3%), nerolidol (7.21%), trans-β-bergamotene (5.73%), α-santalene (4.94%) and trans-α-bergamotene (4.26%). The essential oil showed moderate antifungal activity against C. albicans, producing an inhibition halo of 13 mm in diameter, which is 48% of the inhibition observed with nystatin (27 mm). The presence of sesquiterpenes, such as β-caryophyllene, known for its membrane-disrupting properties, probably contributes to the observed antifungal effects. The study highlights the potential of B. orellana essential oil as a natural antifungal agent; however, further research is required to evaluate its efficacy against a wider range of pathogenic fungi, its possible synergistic effects with conventional antifungals and its safety and efficacy in vivo. Full article

This project studied the use of lentil protein (LP) and quinoa protein (QP) in their native and modified states as carrier material in the encapsulation process by the ionic gelation technique of annatto seed extract. Soy protein (SP) was used as a model of carrier material and encapsulated bioactive compounds, respectively. The plant proteins were modified by enzymatic hydrolysis, N acylation, and N-cationization to improve their encapsulating properties. Additionally, the secondary structure, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), solubility as a function of pH, isoelectric point (pI), molecular weight (MW), the content of free thiol groups (SH), the absorption capacity of water (WHC) and fat (FAC), emulsifier activity (EAI), emulsifier stability (ESI), and gelation temperature (Tg) were assessed on proteins in native and modified states. The results obtained demonstrated that in a native state, LP (80.52% and 63.82%) showed higher encapsulation efficiency than QP (73.63% and 45.77%), both for the hydrophilic dye and for the annatto extract. Structural modifications on proteins improve some functional properties, such as solubility, WHC, FAC, EAI, and ESI. However, enzymatic hydrolysis on the proteins decreased the gels’ formation, the annatto extract’s encapsulated efficiency, and the hydrophilic dye by the ionic gelation method. On the other hand, the modifications of N-acylation and N-cationization increased but did not generate statistically significant differences (p-value > 0.05) in the encapsulation efficiency of both the annatto extract and the hydrophilic dye compared to those obtained with native proteins. This research contributes to understanding how plant proteins (LP and QP) can be modified to enhance their encapsulating and solubility properties. The better encapsulation of bioactive compounds (like annatto extract) can improve product self-life, potentially benefiting the development of functional ingredients for the food industry. Full article

Annatto, obtained from the seeds of achiote (Bixa orellana L.), is a widely used orange pigment rich in bixin and other apocarotenoids. This work reports the optimisation of a green extraction method of pigments and antioxidant compounds from achiote as well as its integration in a one-step green extraction-cosmetic formulation process. A biphasic solvent system of water and oil was used to recover simultaneously polar polyphenols, and less polar compounds, such as δ-tocotrienol and bixin. The optimisation of the ultrasound assisted extraction is presented, as well as a comparison of different vegetable oils used as extraction solvents. The composition, physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of the oils were studied and their extraction performance was compared. Refined sunflower oil proved to be a better solvent than virgin olive, jojoba, coconut and grapeseed oils. Both aqueous and oil phases displayed an interesting antioxidant capacity. The oil phase contained 0.9% of bixin, as well as minor apocarotenoids and δ-tocotrienol. Twelve compounds, mainly phenolics, were identified by UHPLC-DAD-HRMS/MS in the aqueous phase. Twenty-one volatile compounds were identified in the volatile fraction by SPME-GC-MS. Lastly, a one-step green process is proposed to combine the extraction and the cosmetic formulation of the bioactive compounds. Full article

A major source in the research on Baltic cultural history (Latvia, Estonia), including studies dedicated to the clothing of local inhabitants, are the drawings and descriptions of Johann Christoph Brotze (1742–1823), which date back to the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries. They contain references to dyes and dyeing methods used by local peasants. The information recorded by J. C. Brotze, although fragmentary, is valuable because researchers lack documentary sources about the dyeing methods used in the 18th century in the territory of present-day Latvia. Additional research yields more extensive information about the contents of the descriptions. The current article will describe the experimental method that enabled the establishment of the specific dyeing technique, which, using Bixa orellana L., was employed to obtain the particular orange color referred to in the descriptions. Full article

Bixin is the main carotenoid found in the outer portion of the seeds of Bixa orellana L., commercially known as annatto. This compound is industrially employed in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food formulations as a natural dye to replace chemical additives. This study aimed to extract bixin from annatto seeds and obtain encapsulated bixin in a powder form, using freeze-drying encapsulation and maltodextrin as encapsulating agent. Bixin was extracted from annatto seeds employing successive washing with organic solvents, specifically hexane and methanol (1:1 v/v), followed by ethyl acetate and dichloromethane for subsequent washes, to effectively remove impurities and enhance bixin purity, and subsequent purification by crystallization, reaching 1.5 ± 0.2% yield (or approximately 15 mg of bixin per gram of seeds). Bixin was analyzed spectrophotometrically in different organic solvents (ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, dimethylsulfoxide, chloroform, hexane), and the solvents chosen were chloroform (used to solubilize bixin during microencapsulation) and hexane (used for spectrophotometric determination of bixin). Bixin was encapsulated according to a 2² experimental design to investigate the influence of the concentration of maltodextrin (20 to 40%) and bixin-to-matrix ratio (1:20 to 1:40) on the encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and solubility of the encapsulated powder. Higher encapsulation efficiency was obtained at a maltodextrin concentration of 40% w/v and a bixin/maltodextrin ratio of 1:20, while higher solubility was observed at a maltodextrin concentration of 20% w/v for the same bixin/maltodextrin ratio. The encapsulation of this carotenoid by means of freeze-drying is thus recognized as an innovative and promising approach to improve its stability for further processing in pharmaceutical and food applications. Full article

Currently, Bixa orellana L. extracts are used as a color source in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries because they are important as a potential source of antioxidant activity. The extraction is carried out by conventional methods, using alkaline solutions or organic solvents. These extraction methods do not take advantage of the lipid fraction of annatto (Bixa orellana L.) seeds, and the process is not friendly to the environment. In this work, the objective was to obtain an extract rich in nutraceuticals (bixin and tocols) of high antioxidant power from Peruvian annatto seeds as a potential source for a functional food or additive in the industry using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Experiments related to extraction yield, bixin, tocotrienols, tocopherols, and antioxidant activity were carried out. The SFE was performed at 40 °C, 50 °C, and 60 °C, and 100, 150, and 250 bar with 0.256 kg/h carbon dioxide as the supercritical solvent (solvent-to-feed ratio of 10.2). Supercritical extraction at 60 °C and 250 bar presented the best results in terms of global extraction yield of 1.40 ± 0.01 g/100 g d.b., extract concentration of 0.564 ± 0.005 g bixin/g extract, 307.8 mg α-tocotrienol/g extract, 39.2 mg β-tocotrienol/g extract, 2 mg γ-tocopherol/g extract, and IC₅₀ of 989.96 μg extract/mL. Economical evaluation showed that 60 °C, 250 bar, and 45 min presented the lowest cost of manufacturing (2 × 2000 L, COM of USD 212.39/kg extract). This extract is a potential source for functional food production. Full article

The phytonutraceutical Ormona^® is a product composed of purified oil of Bixa orellana Linné, dry extract of Myrciaria dubia McVaugh, dry extract of Trifolium pratense L., and dry extract of Euterpe oleracea Mart. obtained using Evolve^® technology. This study evaluated the effects of Ormona^® on Wistar rats affected by ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis. Pre-treatment was conducted for 15 days before surgery and continued for a further 45 days after the surgical procedure. The experimental design consisted of five groups (n = 5): OVW: treated with distilled water (1 mL/kg, p.o); ADS: alendronate sodium (4 mg/kg p.o); EST: conjugated estrogen (2 µg/kg, p.o); ORM: Ormona^® (20 mg/kg, p.o); ORM + EST: Ormona^® (20 mg/kg, p.o) + conjugated estrogen (2 µg/kg, p.o). Biochemical and hormonal parameters of bone histopathology and trabecular and femoral diaphysis size were evaluated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and bone calcium quantification by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results show that ovariectomy caused bone alterations such as loss of femoral microarchitecture, decreased bone homeostasis parameters, and changes in the lipid profile. Estrogen supplementation reduced parameters such as cholesterol, LDL, and Ca²⁺ concentration. However, Ormona^® showed higher serum estradiol levels (p < 0.01), effects on the lipid profile, including parameters that estrogen replacement and alendronate sodium did not affect, with an increase in HDL, and positive modulation of bone metabolism, increasing osteocytes and the presence of osteoblasts. Ormona^®, therefore, produced better results than the groups treated with estrogen and alendronate sodium. Full article

Dyslipidemia presents high levels of serum cholesterol and is characterized as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, especially for the development of atherosclerosis. E. oleracea oil (OFEO), A. esculentus oil (OFAE), B. orellana oil (OFBO), and Chronic SM^® granules (CHR) are rich in bioactive compounds with the potential to treat changes in lipid metabolism. This study investigated the effects of treatments with oils from A. esculentus, E. oleracea, B. orellana, and Chronic SM^® on Cocos nucifera L. saturated-fat-induced dyslipidemia. The chromatographic profile showed the majority presence of unsaturated fatty acids in the tested oils. The quantification of tocotrienols and geranylgeraniol in OFBO and CHR was obtained. Treatments with OFEO, OFAE, OFBO, and CHR were able to significantly reduce glycemia, as well as hypertriglyceridemia, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol, besides increasing HDL-cholesterol. The treatments inhibited the formation of atheromatous plaques in the vascular endothelium of the treated rats. The obtained results suggest that the OFEO, OFAE, OFBO, and CHR exhibit antidyslipidemic effects and antiatherogenic activity. Full article

Bixa orellana is a native and cultivated species of Ecuador commonly known as achiote (annatto), this species is very versatile with a wide variety of uses and applications of its leaves, fruits and seeds. In this study, the chemical composition, enantiomeric distribution and biological activity of essential oil isolated from the leaves of Bixa orellana were determined. Hydrodistillation was used to isolate the essential oil. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used to determine the qualitative composition, a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector was used to determine quantitative composition and gas chromatography on an enantioselective column was used to determine enantiomeric distribution. Antibacterial activity was determined using the broth microdilution method, for which we used three Gram-positive cocci bacteria, a Gram-positive bacilli bacterium and three Gram-negative bacilli bacteria. 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic (ABTS) acid radical cation and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydryl (DPPH) free radical were used as reagents for determining the antioxidant activity of the essential oil. The spectrophotometric method was used to analyze acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect of the essential oil. The yield of leaves in essential oil was 0.13 ± 0.01% (v/w). A total of 56 chemical compounds, which represent 99.25% of the total composition, were identified in the essential oil. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were the most representative group in number of compounds and relative abundance with 31 compounds and 69.06%, respectively. The principal constituents were found to germacrene D (17.87 ± 1.20%), bicyclogermacrene (14.27 ± 0.97%), caryophyllene < (E)– > (8.56 ± 1.24%) and pinene <α-> (6.34 ± 0.13%). Six pairs of enantiomers were identified in the essential oil of Bixa orellana. The essential oil presented strong activity against the Enterococcus faecium (ATCC 27270) with an MIC of 250 μg/mL and weak activity against Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 19433) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) with an MIC of 1000 μg/mL. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was strong according to ABTS methods with a SC₅₀ of 61.49 ± 0.04 µg/mL and was moderate in DPPH with a SC₅₀ of 224.24 ± 6,4 µg/mL. Additionally, the essential oil reported moderate anticholinesterase activity with an IC₅₀ of 39.45 ± 1.06 µg/mL. Full article