What is the Difference Between Bixin and Norbixin

The key difference between bixin and norbixin is that bixin is insoluble in water, whereas norbixin is a water-soluble derivative of bixin.

Bixin is an organic compound that occurs in the seeds of the achiote tree. Norbixin is an organic compound that occurs as a derivative of the bixin compound. These compounds are useful as coloring agents in different industries. Bixin appears as orange-colored crystals, while norabixin appears as yellow-orange/brown-colored crystals.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Bixin
3. What is Norbixin
4. Similarities – Bixin and Norbixin
5. Bixin vs Norbixin in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Bixin vs Norbixin

What is Bixin?

Bixin is an organic compound that occurs in the seeds of the achiote tree. This substance belongs to the apocarotenoid group of organic compounds. Commonly, we can extract this substance from seeds to produce annatto, which is a natural food coloring consisting of about 5% pigments having 70-80% bixin content.

The chemical formula of the bixin compound is C₂₅H₃₀O₄, and its molar mass is 394.5 g/mol. It appears as orange-colored crystals. It is a water-insoluble organic compound. Chemically, this substance is unstable when it is isolated. Due to this unstable nature, it converts into trans-bixin through isomerization. Although it is insoluble in water, it is soluble in fats and alcohols. When this compound is exposed to alkali, it hydrolyzes to give a dicarboxylic acid known as “norbixin.” Norbixin is a water-soluble derivative of bixin.

Bixin is mainly useful for coloring purposes where is it important as a tasteless coloring for cheese, butter, margarine, and chocolate. Moreover, we can use it as a coloring agent for soaps and skincare products.

What is Norbixin?

Norbixin is an organic compound that occurs as a derivative of the bixin compound. It is a diterpenoid compound. Traditionally, it is used to color dairy products such as natural cheddar cheese, yogurt, dairy drinks, and ice cream. This substance appears in a yellow-red/brown tone. It is mostly useful in providing color to non-oil-based products.

Generally, this coloring agent is safe for most people. However, there can be some uncommon side effects of norbixin, such as allergic reactions with symptoms such as itchiness, swelling, low blood pressure, hives, and stomach pain.

The molecular formula of norbixin is C₂₄H₂₈O₄. The molar mass of this compound is about 380.5 g/mol. It is a highly polar substance because of the carboxylic acid group, which can contribute to the polarity of the compound.

What are the Similarities Between Bixin and Norbixin?

1. Bixin and norbixin are important coloring agents.
2. Both substances have uses in the food industry, soap and detergent industry, cosmetic industry, etc.

What is the Difference Between Bixin and Norbixin?

Bixin and norbixin are important organic compounds that have applications in industries as coloring agents. The major industries we can use these substances include the food industry, skincare production, and other cosmetic industries, soap and detergent production, etc. The key difference between bixin and norbixin is that bixin is insoluble in water, whereas norbixin is a water-soluble derivative of bixin. Moreover, bixin appears as orange-colored crystals while norbixin appears as yellow-orange/brown-colored crystals.

Below is a summary of the difference between bixin and norbixin in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Bixin vs Norbixin

Bixin is an organic compound that occurs in the seeds of the achiote tree. Norbixin is an organic compound that occurs as a derivative of the bixin compound. The key difference between bixin and norbixin is that bixin is insoluble in water, whereas norbixin is a water-soluble derivative of bixin. Both these substances are useful as coloring agents.

Reference:

1. “Norbixin“. Pubchem.Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov. 
2. Solymosi, K. et al. “Food Colour Additives Of Natural Origin”. Science Direct.
3. “Bixin“. Pubchem.Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Bixina” By Timin2002 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Bixa orellana fruit roucou kourou” By Arria Belli – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
3. “Norbixin” By User:BartVL71 – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia