Effect of high-intensity ultrasound specific energy on the bixin and geranylgeraniol recovery from defatted annatto seeds

Resumo

Annatto (Bixa orellana L.) seeds are rich in bioactive compounds as bixin, an important carotenoid used as a colorant, and geranylgeraniol, a terpenic compound which presents several biological activities as apoptosis of carcinogen cells. The extraction of these bioactive compounds using clean emerging technology and a green solvent like ethanol can boost their health benefit effects. In this sense, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of high-intensity ultrasound (HIUS) specific energy on the extraction of bixin and geranylgeraniol from defatted annatto seeds. The extractions were performed using two HIUS processes, low power and long time (LPLT) and high power and short time (HPST); both operating at the same specific energy levels (1, 3, 5, and 7 kJ/g). The most effective extraction was obtained by using the HPST process and the specific energy of 7 kJ/g, which allowed to obtain a higher global yield (8.2 g/100 g annatto seeds). In addition, was verified that the HIUS-assisted extraction did not modify the colorant's color parameters and solubility. However, there were morphological changes as the specific energy increased.