Bixin

Bixin (CAS 6983-79-5), the primary pigment extracted from annatto seeds, is the oil-soluble carotenoid fraction classified under E160b in food additive regulations. It delivers a stable orange-red coloration across a broad range of food and cosmetic formulations, offering a natural alternative to synthetic dyes. In food manufacturing, it is used to color dairy products.

Cheese, butter, and margarine utilize this pigment to provide consistent warm tones that consumers associate with premium quality. Processed snacks, seasonings, and bakery coatings also rely on it for oil-dispersible color. The pigment withstands heat during production, making it ideal for industrial applications. In personal care, it is incorporated into lip products, foundations, and skin-toning cosmetics where oil compatibility is required.

This compatibility allows direct blending into wax and emollient bases. Annatto-based colorants are also applied in industrial food coatings and fat-based confectionery fillings to ensure uniform appearance. The product is supplied as a dark reddish-brown crystalline powder or as oil-soluble dispersions and resin concentrates. Food-grade material is available meeting FCC and EU regulatory requirements.

Purity grades are standardized by pigment content to ensure consistency across batches. Annatto oleoresin concentrates containing the active colorant are also commercially available for direct use in fat-based applications.