Bixin is an apocarotenoid found in the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana) from which it derives its name. It is commonly extracted from the seeds to form annatto, a natural food coloring, containing about 5% pigments, of which 70âÂÂ80% are bixin.
Several thousand tons are harvested annually.
Bixin is unstable. It isomerizes into trans-bixin (ò-bixin), the double-bond isomer.
Bixin is soluble in fats and alcohols but insoluble in water. Upon exposure to alkali, the methyl ester is hydrolyzed to produce the dicarboxylic acid norbixin, a water-soluble derivative.