Bixa orellana

Bixa orellana is a tropical plant from the Bixaceae family. It originally comes from tropical America, especially the Amazon basin, and has spread through human use in many tropical regions worldwide. The plant is mainly cultivated for the red dye Annatto, which is obtained from the seeds and is widespread in the food and cosmetics industry.

Morphology and description

Bixa orellana is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can reach a height of 6 to 10 meters. The plant has heart -shaped, pointed leaves, which are about 8 to 18 cm long and 5 to 12 cm wide. The leaves are dark green and have a smooth or slightly hairy surface. The flowers of Bixa orellana are striking and grow in panicles. They are pink or white with five large, delicate petals and numerous stamens. After flowering, the characteristic spiky, capsule -shaped fruits develop, which are brown or reddish in the mature state. Each fruit contains numerous red seeds that are embedded in a thick, sticky mass.

Distribution and Habitat

Bixa orellana is native to tropical and subtropical regions and grows in a variety of habitats, including rainforests, mixed forests and cultural landscapes. It prefers well permeable soils and thrives in areas with plenty of precipitation and warm climate. The plant is now commercially grown in many tropical regions, including in parts of South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and Africa.

Chemical composition and use

The main reason for the cultivation of Bixa orellana is the extraction of Annatto, a natural dye that occurs in the outer layers of the seeds. Annatto contains the carotenoid Bixin and Norbixin, which are responsible for the intensive red to orange color. This dye is traditionally used as food coloring, especially in cheese, butter, margarine, rice and other processed foods. It is approved as an additive under the code E160B in the European Union.

In addition to its use as a dye, Annatto also has cosmetic applications. In many cultures, the dye was traditionally used as body painting or lipstick, which earned it the name "lipstick tree". There are also indications of the medical use of the plant in traditional medicine. The seeds and leaves of Bixa orellana are used in various cultures to treat skin problems, fever, gastrointestinal complaints and infections. Modern studies indicate that Bixa orellana has antioxidative, anti -inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Cultural -historical importance

The use of Bixa orellana goes back to history. The indigenous peoples of the Amazon area used Annatto as a dye for clothing, works of art and body painting. In pre -Columbian cultures, the plant was also used ritually to express spiritual importance and belonging to certain communities or ceremonies. The Spanish name "Achiot" for the plant comes from the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs, which Annatto also cultivated and used.

Agricultural and ecological importance

Bixa orellana is an economically important crop in many tropical regions. The cultivation of the plant is relatively uncomplicated because it requires little care and is resistant to many pests and diseases. It also contributes to the preservation of biodiversity, since it can be grown together with other crops in agroforest systems. However, the commercial cultivation of Bixa orellana in monocultures is associated with the usual ecological problems, including the loss of biodiversity and ground degradation.

Protection and maintenance

Although Bixa orellana is grown in many regions, there are no significant threats to their populations in the wilderness. Since the plant is often cultivated and an important economic resource is, efforts to protect the wild stocks have not yet been necessary. Nevertheless, it is important to promote sustainable cultivation methods in order to minimize environmental pollution from intensive agriculture.