ANNATTO EXTRACTS (SOLVENT-EXTRACTED NORBIXIN)
Prepared at the 67th JECFA (2006) and published in FAO JECFA Monographs 3 (2006), superseding specifications prepared at the 61stJECFA (2003) and published in FNP 52 Add 11 (2003) and in the Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications, FAO JECFA Monographs 1 (2005). An ADI for bixin of 0 – 12 mg/kg bw and a group ADI for norbixin and its disodium and dipotassium salts of 0 – 0.6 mg/kg bw expressed as norbixin were established at the 67th JECFA (2006).
The colouring matters bixin and norbixin derived from annatto extracts (solvent-extracted bixin; solvent-extracted norbixin; aqueous-processed
bixin; alkali-processed norbixin, acid-precipitated; and alkali-processed norbixin, not acid-precipitated) are included in the ADIs for bixin and norbixin. All previous ADIs for annatto extracts were withdrawn.
SYNONYMS Annatto C, Orlean, Terre orellana, L. Orange, CI (1975) 75120 (Natural Orange 4), INS 160b(ii)
DEFINITION Solvent-extracted norbixin is obtained from the outer coating of the seeds of the annatto tree (Bixa orellana L.) by washing with one or more of the following food grade solvents: acetone, methanol, hexane, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, alkaline alcohol or carbon dioxide
followed by solvent removal, crystallization and drying. Aqueous alkali is added to the resultant powder, which is then heated to hydrolyse the
colouring matter and cooled. The aqueous solution is filtered, and acidified to precipitate the norbixin. The precipitate is filtered, washed,
dried and milled, to give a granular powder.
Solvent-extracted norbixin contains several coloured components; the major colouring principle is cis-norbixin, a minor colouring principle is
trans-norbixin; thermal degradation products of norbixin may also be present as a result of processing. Products supplied to the food industry may be formulated with appropriate carriers of food grade quality.
Chemical name cis-Norbixin: 6,6'-Diapo-Ψ,Ψ-carotenedioic acid
cis-Norbixin dipotassium salt: Dipotassium 6,6'-diapo-Ψ,Ψ-carotenedioate
cis-Norbixin disodium salt: Disodium 6,6'-diapo-Ψ,Ψ-carotenedioate
C.A.S. number cis-Norbixin: 542-40-5
cis-Norbixin dipotassium salt: 33261-80-2
cis-Norbixin disodium salt: 33261-81-3
Formula weight 380.5 (acid), 456.7 (dipotassium salt), 424.5 (disodium salt)
Assay Not less than 85 % colouring matter (expressed as norbixin)
DESCRIPTION Dark red-brown to red-purple powder
FUNCTIONAL USES Colour
