Names | |
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IUPAC name
(2E,4E,6E,8E,10E,12E,14E,16Z,18E)-20-Methoxy-4,8,13,17-tetramethyl-20-oxoicosa-2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-nonaenoic acid
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Other names
cis-Bixin; α-Bixin; 9-cis-6,6'-Diapo-ψ,ψ-carotenedioic acid, 6-methyl ester
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Identifiers | |
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3D model (JSmol)
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ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.027.499 |
PubChem CID
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UNII |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C25H30O4 | |
Molar mass | 394.511 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | Orange crystals |
Melting point | 198 °C (cis-isomer) 217 °C (trans-isomer) |
Insoluble | |
Hazards | |
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Bixin is an apocarotenoid found in the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana)[2] 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 70–80% are bixin.[3]
Several thousand tons are harvested annually.[4]
Bixin is unstable. It isomerizes into trans-bixin (β-bixin), the double-bond isomer.[1]
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.