Evaluación de 30 individuos de bixa orellana l. y su correlación con el polvo de annato / Bhixa orellana evaluation in 30 persons and their correlation with annato power

Se investigaron los métodos de extracción del annato de las semillas del achiote utilizando agua potable, solución de carbonato de sodio y solución de hidroxido de sodio. En la extracción con hidróxido de sodio deluido se obtuvo 28,37 por ciento de rendimiento. Se utilizó semillas enteras de 13 individuos de achiote procedentes de Tarapoto y 17 de Pucallpa, previamente maceradas con agua potable durante 60min tratadas 2 veces con NaoH 0,5 por ciento y 4 veces con agua potable. La relación semilla:solvente fue de 1:3 para cada etapa y el tiempo de extracción 10 min. El annato obtenido mostró una consistencia seca y quebradiza permitiéndo una molienda fina. Las muestras de Tarapoto tienen 1,35 g por ciento de bixina en la semilla y 17.84 g por ciento en el annato, mientras que las de Pucallpa tienen 1,95 g por ciento en la semilla y 19,42 g por ciento en el annato. Se realizó por último un análisis de correlación-regresión entre el porcentaje de bixina en semillas iniciales y el porcentaje de bixina en el annato obtenido, teniendo en cuenta la influencia de variables tales como: por ciento humedad, por ciento extracción, por ciento rendimiento, por ciento grasa, tamaño y otras en este análisis.

Isolation, purification and identification of the hyperglycaemic principle of the annatto (Bixa Orellana)

The use of herbal medicines in diabetes treatment is still a reality in Third World countries. The annatto is one of the plants widely used as an oral hypoglycaemic. Preliminary findings on the annatto, by a study group at the University of the West Indies showed, however, that anaesthetized dogs fed the crude extract of this annatto exhibited signs of hyperglycaemia. This unexpected result prompted further investigation. Studies commenced in 1985 to determine which component(s) from the crude extract was responsible for the observed hyperglycaemia. The chloroform eluent of the annatto seeds was separated by a chromatography sequence and recrystallizations, yielding a single bioactive component. Analysis by GC-mass spectrophotometry showed this component to be 99.4 percent pure, having a molecular weight of 394.2 and fitting the molecular formula C25H3O4. Further analysis by infrared (IR) spectrophotometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) supported the suggested molecular formula. Corroborative evidence was provided by 13C-NMR, confirming the structure of the hyperglycaemic agent as being that of transbixin. When this transbixin was fed to anaesthetized dogs in the amount of 0.6 g/Kg body weight, the dogs exhibited persistent hyperglycaemia. Additionally, electron microscopy revealed that they suffered severe damage to liver, kidney and pancreatic tissues to an extent that suggested that transbixin was not just hyperglycaemic, but also diabetogenic and toxic. Annatto pigments have, however, been listed by the FAO/WHO as being safe for human consumption and is widely used as colouring for butter, cheese, soups and other foods. The findings of this study indicate that another look will have to be taken at the annatto extracts as food additives, since transbixin is a major constituent. Further, the millions of poor in developing countries who continue to use annatto as a treatment for diabetes and other systemic ailments will need to be re-educated as to the possible implications of its continued use (AU)

Isolation, purification and identification of the hyperglycaemic principle of the annatto (Bixa orellana) - abstract

The crude extract eluted from the seed of Bixa orellana was seen to cause hyperglycaemia in anaesthetized dogs. Further investigation was carried out to find the biologically active component. Column chromatography, PLC and recrystallizations yielded a pure residue with m.p. 220. The experimental dogs in quantities below one gram, it caused sustained hyperglycaemia and severe damage to tissues of the liver, kidney and pancreas. The level of toxicity associated with this plant is of interest, since its extract is widley used in various goods (AU)