Annatto Extract- Composition, Properties, and Health Uses

Annatto extract has always been the go-to natural color dye! Lately, however, it has also been discovered to have potential health benefits. What's there in annatto that makes it a powerful remedy?

Annatto, Bixa orellana, also known as achiote, is a flowering shrub native to Central America. For centuries, annatto and its extract have been treasured for its deep red color. Ancient people used annatto in body painting and even as an insect repellant. It is also used as a food dye and even as a flavoring agent in Latin and Caribbean dishes.

The best part is that, unlike other coloring or flavoring agents, it doesn't have any side effects. However, it's no longer just a color or flavor! The innovation in science and technology has decoded the hidden health potential of annatto and its extract.

Here is a detailed blog about the annatto extract and its uses!

A Quick Introduction to the Annatto Plant and Its Extract

Before exploring the constituents of the annatto extract, let's quickly build an understanding of the plant itself.

For the first time, annatto was noticed by Spanish explorer Francisco de Orellana around the Amazon River in the late 1500s. It is an evergreen shrub that can reach up to 6-10m under ideal conditions. The plant bears white and pink flowers, resembling wild roses. But that's not the signature characteristic of the plant.

The reddish-brown fruits covered in spikes are the center of attention in annatto, which contains 10-50 tiny seeds. These seeds are packed with vibrant pigments, giving them a striking red-orange hue. Ancient indigenous civilizations, like the Aztecs, used annatto to extract red dye for food and fun. Later, its extract was also used in the preparation of lipstick, from which annatto got another popular name: lipstick tree.

How to Prepare Annatto Extract

Annatto extract comes from the seeds of Bixa orellana. It is made by steeping the seeds in oil or ground into a powder. The DIY method includes grinding annatto seeds into fine powder. But, when produced on a commercial scale, it is prepared after removing the pigment from the outer layers of the seeds. While the primary use of extract is to add color and aroma to food, it also holds medicinal benefits. In traditional medicines, annatto extract has been helpful in wound healing and inflammation reduction.

Properties of Annatto Extract

Based on the extraction process, the powder carries a certain physical and chemical composition.

Physical Properties

Annatto extract is biodegradable, non-toxic, and heat stable with a melting point of 190 °C. Its properties and vibrant yellow-orange color remain stable under heat and oxidation but may degrade at temperatures above 125°C.

Chemical Constituents

However, the magic and versatility of annatto extract lies in its chemical composition, which includes.

Carotenoids

Bixin and norbixin are the primary pigments of annatto extract, which are also responsible for its color and solubility. While bixin is fat-soluble, norbixin holds water-soluble properties. Additionally, the greater the norbixin, the deeper the yellow hue, and the bixin gives it a distinguished orange color.

Antioxidants Vitamin E Tocotrienols

Now, here comes the king constituent of annatto that offers surprising health benefits. Annatto seeds contain the highest percentage of delta tocotrienols, the most potent Vitamin E form. Tocotrienols may help with gut health, anticancer therapy, managing cholesterol levels, and much more. It is a powerful antioxidant that inhibits oxidative stress, maintaining cellular health.

Geranylgeraniol (GG)

Annatto seeds also contain a significant amount of geranylgeraniol (GG). Geranylgeraniol (GG) is an endogenous compound, biosynthesized in the mevalonate pathway. Preliminary studies suggest that it facilitates the production of crucial coenzymes, including ubiquinone (CoQ10) and menaquinone.

Present-Day Uses of Annatto Extract

Annatto extract is used in food, nutrition, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals in the following ways:

In Food Industry

Annatto is a popular food coloring agent with no adverse health effects. You might be amazed to know that 70% of all natural food coloring comes from annatto. It can deliver intense yellow or orange color. That's why it is used to color edibles, including cheese, butter, cakes, baked goods, meat, and ice cream. Further, annatto extract has a distinguished sweet, peppery taste and is used in different cuisines.

In Cosmetics Industry

FDA permits the use of annatto for personal care products. It is used as a coloring agent in makeup and cosmetic products. It delivers the desired color to lipsticks, nail paints, eye shadows, and even hair dyes.

In Health and Wellness

Now, that's the most interesting use of annatto extract. With successful research and studies, annatto extract is used nowadays to make health supplements. One of the most common examples is annatto-derived vitamin E tocotrienols, which support bone, heart, and body's metabolism.

In Medical Field

Even in the medical field, annatto-based products are used along with certain drugs. It works synergically with the principal drug, suppressing its adverse pharmacological effect. For instance, geranylgeraniol supplementation when taken with statin drugs has potential to reverse its side effects. Statin is a cardiovascular drug that indiscriminately reduces cholesterol levels, resulting in vitamin K and CoQ10 deficiency. Additionally, it shows significant anti-inflammatory actions. It may also have antibacterial and anticancer benefits.

What Does the Future Promise

Though present uses of annatto extract are limited, the future holds endless possibilities. Numerous studies highlight the health potential of annatto and its extract. Here is a quick summary:

Anticancer Properties

Test-tube studies highlight that annatto extract may suppress cancer stem cells, slowing down the tumor. The potential anticancer properties are linked to the presence of carotenoids and tocotrienols. Studies have found that annatto can improve fatal conditions in prostate, ovarian, and liver cancer.

Optical Advantages

Annatto extract contains a significant amount of norbixin, which is linked with improved vision. In an animal study, supplementing rats with norbixin for 3 months noticed a reduced accumulation of the compound N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine. The compound is directly linked to age-related irreversible blindness.

Antioxidant Properties

The presence of high free radicals in the body is often related to chronic conditions like cancer, stroke, Alzheimer's, or tumors. Thus, antioxidation is an essential biological process for optimal cell growth. With an abundance of tocotrienols, annatto can resist oxidative stress, neutralizing free radicals.

Anti-inflammatory Action

Research suggests that annatto may block the inflammatory actions of bradykinin and nitric oxide. Even a preclinical study highlighted that annatto extract brings down allergies or swelling. However, proper human research is still required to explore the benefits thoroughly.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Annatto extract is a good source of vitamin E tocotrienols. Tocotrienols react with LDL cholesterol, removing them from the bloodstream. Not only that, in scientific studies, norbixin has significantly increased HDL cholesterol. Thus, by maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, annatto may improve overall cardiovascular health.

Antimicrobial Effects

In test tube studies, annatto extract has shown antimicrobial properties. It inhibits the growth of certain bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. That's how it can also indirectly contribute to overall gut health. Another interesting study found that pork patties with annatto powder suppress microbe growth compared to untreated patties. However, we still need large scale studies to confirm the accurate mechanism and functioning.

Alternative to Annatto Extract

Apart from extract, annatto comes in different forms, and each one has its own uses.

Annatto Seeds: Annatto seeds are the direct part of the plant. They are rich in antioxidant and carotenoid content and are directly used by the pharma and wellness industry.
Annatto Paste: Annatto paste is the grounded version of the seeds. It is often mixed with other herbs and spices like cumin and coriander. Annatto paste is an active ingredient in Mexican, Central American, and Caribbean dishes.
Annatto Oil: Annatto oil can add an appetizing orange-red color to meals. It is prepared by cooking annatto seeds in edible vegetable oils, like olive, corn, or canola.
Annatto Powder: It is simply the powder of annatto seeds that is used in the food industry. Besides, annatto powder is also an active ingredient for dyes, paint, and cosmetics.

How to Take Annatto Extract Supplements?

Well, the good news is that there are GRAS-certified annatto rich supplements available in the market, that you can take as Vitamin E antioxidants. You can prefer soft gel capsule form for easy administration. The supplements fulfills the optimal requirement of Vitamin E, that normal diet often lacks.

Are There Any Alternatives to Annatto Extract?

Paprika, chili powder, harissa, and Sazón seasoning are a few alternatives to annatto extract. However, there is another drawback: this option can replace annatto flavor and color but doesn't have its medical properties.

Associated Side Effects of Annatto Extract

There is not as such significant adverse effects of annatto extract. However, a few individuals complain about stomach pain, itchiness, swelling, low blood pressure, and hives.

Quick Recap

Annatto extract, made from annatto or achiote tree, is a multipurpose ingredient. Indigenous tribes have been using annatto for centuries as a food ingredient, cosmetic, dye, and medicine. The recent research in science and wellness has reflected its potential health properties. Over time, it will be interesting to observe how annatto and its extract can revolutionize humankind.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been assessed by the FDA. The information contained within this page is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.

Key Takeaways

Annatto's red-yellow color is due to the presence of carotenoid, which is protected with tocotrienols, the most potent form of Vitamin E.
With its deep yellow-red hue, annatto is the primary source of up to 70% natural food dyes.
Annatto-derived tocotrienols may support heart health, bone health, cholesterol management, and gut health.
Annatto is a rare source of geranylgeraniol (GG), an essential compound in the body's biosynthesis of coenzymes.
Approved by the FDA, annatto extract is a safe and effective natural colorant for cosmetics like lipsticks, nail polishes, etc.