Annatto Extract Powder

Annatto extract powder comes from the seed of Bixa orellana, the tropical shrub whose red seed coat yields the annatto colorant. The seed is extracted with water, concentrated and dried to an orange-red powder that is sold as a ratio extract and not as a colorant grade.

The product is a 10:1 ratio extract with no pigment percentage attached. It is water dispersible and milled to 80 mesh. Isolated bixin and norbixin are separate products, and a color-value specification belongs to a separate colorant product.

SKU: BOT-BEX-0174 Category: Botanical Extracts Tags: Annatto, Gummies & Chews, Plant Extracts, Seed & Grain, Water Dispersible, Water Extracted

Bixa orellana Identity & Plant Part

The botanical entity is Bixa orellana L., family Bixaceae, known as annatto, achiote or lipstick tree. The part used in this annatto extract is the seed, whose waxy red coat carries the pigments; leaves, roots and the spiny seed capsule are not part of the product.

The characteristic pigments are the apocarotenoids bixin, which is oil-soluble, and norbixin, which is the water-soluble form. Annatto is not turmeric or paprika, which are other natural orange colorants of different botanical origin, and it is not the seed spice sold under the name achiote paste, which is a blend. A buyer who needs a defined color value needs a separate colorant specification.

Annatto Extract vs Bixin and Norbixin

Form	What It Is	Choose It When
10:1 Seed Extract	Water-extracted, concentrated and dried B. orellana seed	A whole-seed extract without a pigment claim is wanted
Bixin 95%	Isolated bixin at 95% purity	A single oil-soluble carotenoid rather than an extract is wanted
Norbixin 95%	Isolated norbixin at 95% purity	A single water-soluble carotenoid rather than an extract is wanted

The 10:1 figure counts how much starting seed went into one part of powder, and it states no bixin, norbixin or color value. The two siblings are single compounds at the other end of the range, one oil-soluble and one water-soluble, so choosing between them is a solubility decision, not a botanical one.

Choose the ratio extract when annatto seed identity and a water-dispersible, orange-red whole-seed extract are the requirement. If a defined single pigment is the formulation basis, the matching isolate is the correct specification. The seed is the same in all three products, and only the definition of the powder changes.

Typical Specifications

Specification Item	Product Information
Latin Name	Bixa orellana
Plant Part	Seed & Grain
Processing	Water Extraction
Common Name	Annatto, Achiote
Ingredient Type	Ratio Extract
Extract Ratio	10:1
Appearance	Orange-Red powder
Solubility / Dispersibility	Water Dispersible
Quality Parameters
Moisture (LOD)	≤5.0%
Total Ash	≤5.0%
Particle Size	80 mesh
Heavy Metals	Lead ≤2 ppm · Arsenic ≤1 ppm · Cadmium ≤1 ppm · Mercury ≤0.1 ppm
Microbiology	TPC ≤1,000 cfu/g · Yeast & Mold ≤100 cfu/g · E. coli Negative · Salmonella Negative/25 g
Shelf Life	24 months in unopened original packaging, cool and dry storage

Application Areas

Orange-Tinted Capsule Fills

The orange-red annatto powder shows through clear shells, so opaque capsules give a more uniform look. Seed extracts can stick and bridge in the hopper, so test flow on the lot and weigh capsules during the run to catch drift.

Warm-Color Drink Powders

In drink powders the extract gives a warm orange tint and a faint earthy, peppery note. It suits tropical, carrot or cheese-style bases only where color is part of the design, so taste and color-check a plain-water sample first.

Tint-Aware Sachets

Sachets of annatto extract can stain equipment and neighbouring powders, so keep filling lines for pale blends separate. Screen the powder into the premix and compare color from the start and the end of the run to confirm even distribution.

Tablets with Orange Extracts

The tablet blend pairs the powder with a dry binder and a disintegrant. The orange-red tint will show as speckles in pale tablets unless the powder is premixed well, so sieve the blend and inspect a pressed sample.

Colored Gummy Bases

In gummies the extract provides an orange to red-orange tint that suits mango, orange and peach flavors. Add it after the mass has cooled slightly, and test color stability in the finished gummy, as carotenoid colors fade in strong light.

Formulation Notes

The extract is an orange-red powder with a mild earthy, slightly peppery smell and a faintly bitter taste. It disperses in water to an orange, lightly hazy liquid. Carotenoid pigments fade in strong light and with oxygen, so the finished color should be checked after storage, not only after mixing. Handle the powder as a staining material, with dedicated scoops and clear line cleaning between colored and pale products. Keep the container closed between uses, mix it with part of the filler before the main blend, and compare an opened lot with a retained sample of the original shade.

Packaging & Commercial Supply

Essencefield supports product evaluation, formulation trials, commercial orders, and ongoing ingredient supply. Packaging, storage, and shipping arrangements are determined by product characteristics, order quantity, stability requirements, and destination-market needs.

Supply Item	General Information
Sample	Available upon request for formulation, testing, and supplier evaluation
Order Quantities	100 g · 1 kg · 5 kg · 25 kg · 100 kg · 500 kg · Bulk
Sample Lead Time	Typically 5–7 days after sample confirmation
Production Lead Time	Typically 15–30 days after order and specification confirmation
Packaging	Suitable protective inner packaging with bags, cartons, drums, or other appropriate outer packaging
Storage	Store in tightly sealed, suitable protective packaging in a cool, dry environment. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Specific storage conditions follow the approved product specification.
Documentation	COA · Product Specification · TDS · SDS · Applicable declarations (as applicable)

Final order quantities, lead times, packaging, documentation, and shipping arrangements are confirmed according to the selected product and commercial requirements.