A Review Annatto (Bixa orellana l.) as a Natural Colorant and Bioactive Plant

Abstract

For centuries, industries ranging from food to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals have relied on natural compounds sourced from mineral, animal, and plant origins. While the modern market often frames the demand for "natural" products as a new trend, these materials have been integral to human civilization since the ancient Chinese and Egyptian eras. In fact, clinical analysis reveals that over half of current medications are derived from natural precursors. Today, safety and environmental concerns are driving a decisive shift away from synthetic dyes toward sustainable natural alternatives. A leading candidate in this transition is Annatto, a dye extracted from the resinous seeds of Bixa orellana L., a tropical shrub of immense agro-industrial value. Its primary pigments, bixin and norbixin, provide vibrant yellow-to-red hues and are widely used in food, medicine, and textile dyeing. To make Annatto a viable economic competitor to synthetics, however, we must optimize extraction yields and stability. This review explores the isolation and application of Annatto as a sustainable substitute for artificial colorants, evaluating extraction methodologies and analytical techniques. Current literature confirms that Annatto is not only environmentally superior to synthetic counterparts but also offers rapid and efficient extraction possibilities.