Volume : 2, Issue : 6, June - 2013

A Novel Approach for Bixin Production with Least Investment Time

Reena Susan Philip, S. R. Ambika

Abstract :

Bixa orellana L., is one of the 13 natural food dye yielding plants. The pigment bixin extracted from its seeds are economically important next to caramel and saffron. It takes 3–4 years on an average for the plants to emerge from the seeds and form mature fruits and seeds in its natural habitat. The seeds are then harvested and the dye is extracted. In vitro seed germination after mechanical scarification along with exposure to different light quality has proved to reduce the time required for seed germination, seedling growth and the seedlings were found to also contain bixin pigment in all parts. Seed germination of 91.6 % and better seedling growth was observed in seeds subjected to red light treatment. Among parts of the seedlings, roots of seedlings subjected to red light were found to have higher quantity of bixin followed by the blue light.