Biocon Del Peru | Products | Annatto

Annatto colorants are derived from the pulp of annatto seeds which come from a bushy tree called Bixa Orellana L. The tree is between 3 and 10 meters tall and has long green ovate leaves with reddish veins. The Bixa tree has fruits which are covered with opaque soft bristles or have a smooth surface. The round fruits are about 4 cm wide and can be found in a variety of colors such as yellow, brownish-green or bright red. When the fruit of the Bixa tree is ripe it splits open. Inside, the fruit contains numerous small seeds of 5 mm in diameter, which cover a red-orange pulp.

The Bixa Orellana grows in mountain regions, lowlands or areas of higher elevation. The tree grows from seedlings or cutlings and need full sunlight and protection from the wind. The Bixa Orellana tree is known as Annatto or as ‘Achiote’ in large parts of South America and as 'Onoto' in Brazil.

The pulps of annatto seeds contain bixin pigment which is a yellow-orange carotenoid. After extraction, the bixin is used for coloring oil-based products like cheese, processed cheese, snacks, fats, oil, butter and margarine.

From the bixin pigment, norbixin products can be obtained which are water soluble colorants. These norbixin products are used in various food applications such as meat, sausage casing, dairy products, snacks, confectionery and pastry.