Annatto Bixin & Norbixin: High-Stability Natural Colorants

Annatto: Natural Yellow and Orange Colorant

Annatto colorants are high-performance natural pigments derived from the seeds of the Bixa orellana tree. Known as Achiote across South America and Urucum in Brazil, this tropical tree produces seeds rich in Bixin, a powerful yellow-to-orange-red carotenoid. At BioconColors, we specialize in refining these raw seeds into high-purity coloring solutions for global industries.

Annatto seeds from BioconColors, a raw source for natural colorants like Bixin and Norbixin.

Bixin: The Ideal Solution for Oil-Based Applications

The primary pigment found in annatto seeds is Bixin. Due to its fat-soluble nature, Bixin is the industry standard for achieving consistent, vibrant orange and yellow hues in oil-based products.

Key Applications: Natural cheese coloring (including Cheddar and Red Leicester), processed cheese, snacks, fats, oils, butter, and margarine.
Benefit: Provides excellent light stability and a natural, “clean label” alternative to synthetic dyes.

Norbixin: Water-Soluble Natural Orange Pigments

Through a precise saponification process, we convert Bixin into Norbixin. This derivative is a highly versatile, water-soluble colorant that maintains the vibrant heat-stable properties of the original seed.

Key Applications: Sausage casings, dairy products, extruded snacks, confectionery, and fine pastry.
Benefit: Ensures uniform color distribution in water-based formulations and high-protein applications.

BioconColors, Natural colors, food couloring, food coloring, snacks and savory, cheese pops

Product Categories

Carmine lake

Characteristics of Carmine Lake

The carmine is obtained by precipitation of carminic acid with calcium and aluminum

Soluble in alkali solutions
Color shade: Pink to Violet
Temperature stability: Excellent
Light stability: Excellent
Main applications: Carmine can be used in a wide variety of food applications

Carminic Acid

Characteristics of Carminic acid

Obtained through aqueous extraction of the cochineal
Soluble in water, acids and alkali solutions
Color shade provided: Orange to Violet, depending on pH
Temperature stability: Excellent
Light stability: Excellent
Main applications: Beverages

Carmine Powder

Low Tinctorials

Product appearance: Fine red powder
Obtained by precipitation of carminic acid with calcium and aluminum
Completely soluble in dilute alkali solution, insoluble in water
Low tinctorial strength
Carminic acid content: 25 – 60%
A range of Carmine NF products are available, each with a specific color shade:
Biocon Carmine NF – 100 series, color shade: Low Red
Biocon Carmine NF – 200 series, color shade: Red Yellowish
Biocon Carmine NF – 300 series, color shade: Red Bluish
Biocon Carmine NF – 400 series, color shade: Violet
Main applications: Meat, surimi, snacks and cosmetics
Commercial name: Biocon Carmine NF / BPC range

High Tinctorials

Product appearance: Extra fine red powder
Obtained by precipitation of carminic acid with calcium and aluminum
Completely soluble in dilute alkali solution, insoluble in water
High tinctorial strength
Carminic acid content: 25 – 55%
Color shade provided: Red Yellowish to Red Bluish
Main applications: Meat, Cosmetics & Pharmaceutical
Commercial name: Biocon Carmine RY / RB / HR / HRB range

Powder

Carminic Acid Cristallized

Product appearance: Fine orange reddish powder
Crystallized coloring pigment extracted from cochineal
Completely soluble in water
Carminic Acid Content: Min. 90%
Color shade provided: Orange to Voilet, depending on pH
Main applications: beverages (fruit juiches) and confectionery
Commercial name: Biocon Carminic Acid – CR

Carminic Acid Spray Dried

Product appearance: Dark brown powder
Spray dried aqueous solution of coloring pigments extracted from cochineal standardized with carrier
Completely soluble in water
Carminic Acid Content: Min. 90%
Color shade provided: Orange to Voilet, depending on pH
Main applications: beverages (fruit juiches) and confectionery
Commercial name: Biocon Carminic Acid – SD

Carmine Liquid

Water Miscible

Product appearance: Purple liquid
Aqueous solution of carmine, stabilized in alkali solution and when required also in emulsifier
Completely miscible in water
Carminic acid content: 2 – 20%
Color shade provided: Red Yellowish to Red Bluish
Main applications: Meat, yogurt, milk drinks, ice creams, confectionery and pastry
Commercial name: Biocolor range

Carmine Suspension

Product appearance: Viscous red liquid
Carmine lake stabilized in emulsifier
Dispersible in fat
Carminic acid content: 4 – 20%
Color shade provided: Strawberry Red
Main applications: Fish meat, confectionery, desserts
Commercial name: Biocon OS range

Acid proof

Acid Proof

There are two types of acid proof products:

Type 1

Product appearance: Red liquid
Solution obtained from aqueous extraction of cochineal stabilized in emulsifiers
Completely miscible in water
Carminic acid content: 3 – 7.5%
Color shade: Orange
Main applications: Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, fruit juices, confectionery and yogurts
Commercial name: Biocon Carmine APC / APC – PCN range

Type 2

Product appearance: Red liquid
Solution obtained from aqueous extraction of cochineal stabilized in emulsifiers
Completely miscible in water
Carminic acid content: Max. 3 – 7.5%
Color shade provided: Magenta to Red-Orange
Main applications: Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, fruit juices, yogurts, milk drinks, ice creams, confectionery, pastry and pharmaceuticals
Commercial name: Biocon Carmine APC – RAZ / APC – RAM range

RAZ and RAM are type 2 products which contain 4-Amino Carminic Acid as principle colouring and according EU Regulation are not allowed to be labelled as E120 and used in Europe. For usage outside Europe recommended to consult the respective local legislation.

From Field to formulation: let’s define your Perfect shade.

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Annatto, Bixin & Norbixin