Influence of source and quality on the color characteristics of annatto dyes and formulations

Annatto dyes containing different strengths of bixin, norbixin and their formulations such as water-soluble liquid, and oil soluble liquid were measured for L*, a* and b* in a Hunter color meter and the Yellow (Y) and red (R) units in a Lovibond tintometer. Seed source and dye purity had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the color characteristics L*, a*, b* and Y and R units of bixin/norbixin dyes and their formulations. These characteristics behaved independently when different dyes diluted to a common concentration of 50 mg bixin or norbixin/L. However, when individual bixin/norbixin dyes serially diluted L*, b* decreased and a* values increased with increase in concentration of bixin/norbixin. Similarly the increase in concentration of bixin/norbixin have shown decreasing trend on Y/R values due to increase in R-values in the tintometer. It has been observed that a* and R units generally increased with increase in concentration, and L* and b* values decreased and Y values are almost constant in both the bixin and norbixin dyes. However the b*/a* values showed lower values in bixin dyes and higher in norbixin dyes. Similarly R-values were higher in bixin dyes when compared to norbixin dyes.