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A billion dollar business that could save humanity

January 16, 2025

A small tree about 5 meters high holds a secret that could transform economies, save ecosystems and challenge climate change. How can a simple fruit change the lives of entire communities and fight environmental impact? Today, in Mysteries of the Amazon, we explore the fascinating world of  annatto,  annatto, onoto or bijá, a crop that could be the key to unlocking a more sustainable future in harmony with nature. How could this ancient plant help preserve or save tropical forests, generating a million-dollar business from which all communities can benefit without harming nature?

Its scientific name is Bixa Orellana, in honor of Francisco de Orellana, the first Spanish conquistador to lead a river crossing across the entire Amazon basin.

This small fruit, surely underappreciated by many, known as annatto, onoto, annato, urucú or bijá, has the power to become a million-dollar business that helps local economies, and at the same time, helps preserve the lungs of the planet and to extend the climatic balance necessary for the subsistence of our fragile human civilization. 

Its extensive medicinal properties and its widespread use as the main natural dye throughout the world confirm this. 

Accepted by the World Health Organization (WHO), annatto (Bixa earellana) is non-toxic and does not affect the nutritional value of foods, making it one of the few natural colorants widely approved for consumption. A staggering 70% of the world’s natural dyes come from annatto, further cementing its dominance in the global market. 

In 2023, global exports of this item will be valued at nearly two billion dollars. Although in the 20th century, Peru and Brazil led the world’s production of annatto, today China has positioned itself as the main producer and exporter of Bixa Orellana seeds globally, followed by the Netherlands. The main importing country is the United States. Because?

According to the FAO, “the general policy of the United States Government, adopted towards the end of the 20th century, to restrict the use of coal tar dyes in food products, led to the widespread use of annatto-based dyes.”

Colorants based on Bixa orellana seeds (red, yellow and orange) are used in food products such as cheese, fish processing, confectionery, in the manufacture of soft drinks, sausages, flavored oils, condiments, among others. 

In Ecuador, annatto flour is made to feed chickens in poultry farms, since, in the local market, the average buyer prefers chickens whose meat has a more yellow, orange or reddish color over chickens that are paler in appearance. .  

On the other hand, natural dyes from annatto are also used to make textiles, condiments and medicines.

Index

The Sustainable Potential of Annatto: An Economic and Ecological Alternative for Tropical Communities

In the context of current environmental and socioeconomic challenges, the search for sustainable alternatives that promote economic development, without compromising biodiversity, is more relevant than ever. In this scenario, annatto (Bixa earellana), a crop native to the tropics, is positioned as a promising solution for both the production of natural dyes and the mitigation of climate change. A recent study, titled “Sustainable production potential of natural dyes in the tropical forest: a case of annatto seed biorefinery” and published in the scientific journal Sustainability, explores the economic and environmental possibilities of this crop in the Chocó region, Colombia.

A Crop of High Economic and Cultural Value

He  annatto, a plant widely cultivated in the tropics, is known for its seeds rich in bixin and norbixin, carotenoid compounds used as natural colorants in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. In Colombia, the department of Chocó represents approximately 80% of the national annatto production, becoming a key source of income for rural communities and an important resource for the regional bioeconomy.

The study, led by Tatiana Agudelo Patiño and her team, evaluates two production scenarios under a biorefinery scheme. The first focuses exclusively on the production of bixin, while the second also includes the production of norbixin. Both processes use sustainable technologies that combine traditional techniques with modern innovations, optimizing extraction and reducing waste.

Promising Results: Profitability and Sustainability

Yields and Economic Profitability

The study highlights that the extraction of bixin and norbixin using ethanol and NaOH reached yields of 72.65 mg/g and 193.82 mg/g, respectively. From an economic perspective, the second scenario proved to be more viable, with a payback period of only 3.1 years. This model also generated higher revenues thanks to the added value of norbixin, which has a higher market price than bixin.

Additionally, the study analyzes the distribution of costs in the cultivation of annatto, highlighting that 45.74% of the expenses are associated with labor, while inputs and fertilizers represent 43.87%. This underlines the importance of optimizing labor efficiency and encouraging the use of local inputs to reduce costs and increase profitability.

Environmental Impact and Carbon Capture

One of the most significant findings of the study is the ability of the annatto crop to capture CO2. It was estimated that a three-year plantation can capture up to 6.5 kg of CO2 per kilogram of seed, which exceeds the emissions generated during processing. This negative carbon balance positions annatto as a key crop in efforts to mitigate climate change and conserve tropical ecosystems.

Compared to other crops characteristic of the region, such as banana, cocoa and rice, annatto generates lower contributions to climate change, with a net emission of only 0.48 kg of CO2 per kilogram of product. This difference is due in part to the traditional agricultural practices used in growing annatto, which minimize the use of agrochemicals and fuels.

Extraction and Value Added Technologies

The process of extracting natural dyes from annatto has evolved significantly. While traditional techniques, such as water immersion, are widely used in local communities, the study proposes more efficient and sustainable methods based on the use of solvents such as ethanol and NaOH. These methods not only improve yields, but also allow the separation of bixin and norbixin, expanding the industrial applications of the dyes.

Substitution of Illicit Crops: An Opportunity for Regional Development

Chocó faces an important challenge related to illicit crops, which affect the social and economic stability of the region. He  annatto It is presented as a viable alternative for the transition towards legal and sustainable crops, offering economic and environmental benefits. Furthermore, the proposed biorefinery process could be integrated into local economies, generating employment and strengthening the value chain in the region.

Future Challenges and Opportunities

Although the study results are encouraging, several challenges were also identified that must be addressed to ensure the long-term success of annatto cultivation in the region:

  1. Production Scale: The size of annatto plantations in Chocó is limited, which restricts the ability of local communities to meet demand from international markets. It will be necessary to develop logistical strategies and marketing models that allow production to be scaled without compromising sustainability.
  2. Training and Technology Transfer: The adoption of advanced extraction technologies will require training programs for local farmers, as well as the transfer of knowledge from academic and research institutions.
  3. Market Access: It is essential to establish marketing networks that connect annatto producers with national and international buyers interested in natural and sustainable dyes.
  4. Biodiversity Conservation: Any expansion of cultivation must be carried out responsibly, avoiding deforestation and promoting the restoration of degraded ecosystems.

Conclusion: The  Annatto as a Sustainability Model

The study by Agudelo Patiño and collaborators highlights how annatto can become a pillar of sustainable development strategies in tropical regions such as Chocó. Its ability to generate income, capture carbon and reduce environmental impact positions it as a strategic crop in the transition to greener and more resilient economies.

However, achieving this potential requires a comprehensive approach that combines technological innovation, local capacity building and supportive policies. Only in this way can annatto fulfill its promise of being an economic and ecological alternative for Amazonian communities.

References:

  • Agudelo Patiño, T., Poveda-Giraldo, J. A., Salas Moreno, M. H., Rengifo Mosquera, G., & Cardona Alzate, C. A. (2023). Potential for sustainable production of natural colorants in the tropical forest: A biorefinery case of annatto seeds. Sustainability, 15(4), 3079. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043079
  • of Titling, T. (s. f.). MACHALA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY. Edu.ec. Retrieved January 16, 2025, from https://repositorio.utmachala.edu.ec/bitstream/48000/1451/7/CD523_TESIS.pdf
  • Lima, D. N., Carvalho, D. C. de O., Gois, G. C., Vieira, A. A., Moraes, E. A., Antunes, K. V., Queiroz, M. A. Á., Pinheiro, S. R. F., & Brito, C. O. (2022). Yolk color and sensory analysis of eggs from European quails (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) fed sorghum-based feed with the addition of annatto bran (Bixa orellana L.). Journal of Agroveterinary Sciences, 21(4), 497–503. https://doi.org/10.5965/223811712142022497
  • VI. Natural pigments. (s.f.). Fao.org. Retrieved January 16, 2025, from https://www.fao.org/4/x5326e/x5326e09.htm
  • (S.f.). Exportemos.pe. Retrieved January 16, 2025, from https://boletines.exportemos.pe/recursos/boletin/25652.pdf

This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)

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