| 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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6983-79-5 39937-23-0 (trans-Bixin) |
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| 3D model (Jmol) | Interactive image |
| ChEMBL |
ChEMBL1172615 |
| ChemSpider |
4444638 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.027.499 |
| PubChem | 5281226 |
| UNII |
9L7T4VB66G |
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| Properties | |
| C25H30O4 | |
| Molar mass | 394.51 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Orange crystals |
| Insoluble | |
| Hazards | |
| NFPA 704 | |
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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| Infobox references | |
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.
Bixin is chemically unstable when isolated and converts via isomerization into trans-bixin (β-bixin), the double-bond isomer.
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.