Bixin
Appearance
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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ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.027.499 |
PubChem CID
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C25H30O4 | |
Molar mass | 394.511 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | Orange crystals |
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 annatto, a natural food coloring obtained from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana). Annatto seeds contain about 5% pigments, which consist of 70-80% bixin.[2]
Bixin is chemically unstable when isolated and converts via isomerization into trans-bixin (β-bixin), the double-bond isomer.[1]
Bixin is soluble in fats but insoluble in water. Upon exposure to alkali, the methyl ester is hydrolyzed to produce the dicarboxylic acid norbixin, a water-soluble derivative.
References
- ^ a b Merck Index, 11th Edition, 1320
- ^ Executive Summary Bixin Archived July 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, National Toxicology Program