Pilot plant to obtain coloring from the Annatto seed (Bixa orellana)

Abstract

One of the best known and most widely used natural colorants is that obtained from the seed of the Achiote (Annatto). In this article, the parameters -type of solvent, amount of seed, pH, and required time of agitation- needed for the design of a pilot plant to obtain the colorant, are selected through experimental design. Given these parameters, a pilot plant can be designed and its necessary equipment selected to be placed according to the corresponding flow diagram.