Effect of Silk Fibroin as a Sustainable Solvent on the Extraction of Bixin from Annatto Seeds ( Bixa orellana L.)

Swanny Ferreira Borges, Fabricio H. e Holanda, Kaio C. De Maria, Sônia do Socorro do C. Oliveira, David E. Q. Jimenez, Celisnolia Morais Leite, Valtencir Zucolotto and Irlon M. Ferreira ()
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Swanny Ferreira Borges: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Inovação Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Curso de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Rod. JK, km 02, Macapá 68902-280, AP, Brazil
Fabricio H. e Holanda: Laboratório de Biocatálise e Síntese Orgânica Aplicada, Departamento de Ciências Exatas, Curso de Química, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Rod. JK, km 02, Macapá 68902-280, AP, Brazil
Kaio C. De Maria: Laboratório de Biocatálise e Síntese Orgânica Aplicada, Departamento de Ciências Exatas, Curso de Química, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Rod. JK, km 02, Macapá 68902-280, AP, Brazil
Sônia do Socorro do C. Oliveira: Laboratório de Biocatálise e Síntese Orgânica Aplicada, Departamento de Ciências Exatas, Curso de Química, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Rod. JK, km 02, Macapá 68902-280, AP, Brazil
David E. Q. Jimenez: Laboratório de Biocatálise e Síntese Orgânica Aplicada, Departamento de Ciências Exatas, Curso de Química, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Rod. JK, km 02, Macapá 68902-280, AP, Brazil
Celisnolia Morais Leite: Grupo de Nanomedicina e Nanotoxicologia, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos 13566-590, SP, Brazil
Valtencir Zucolotto: Grupo de Nanomedicina e Nanotoxicologia, Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, São Carlos 13566-590, SP, Brazil
Irlon M. Ferreira: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Inovação Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Curso de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Rod. JK, km 02, Macapá 68902-280, AP, Brazil

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-20

Abstract: Bixin, an apocarotenoid from Bixa orellana seeds, is a valuable natural pigment with industrial and pharmacological applications. Traditional extraction methods rely on organic solvents, but eco-friendly alternatives like silk fibroin solution (SFS) are emerging. This study evaluated SFS for bixin extraction from annatto seeds, optimizing conditions using Box-Behnken Design (BBD). The optimal parameters 1.5% SFS, 60 °C, and 60 min yielded 10.87 mg/mL (liquid extract of annatto seeds, LEAS + SFS) and 150.72 mg/g (solid extract of annatto seeds, SEAS + SFS). Cell viability was assessed in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFn) and RAW 264.7 murine macrophages via MTT assay. After 24 and 72 h, LEAS + SFS, SEAS + SFS, purified bixin (PB), and SFS maintained >70% viability in HDFn cells. Similarly, RAW 264.7 cells showed >70% viability after 24 h, indicating low cytotoxicity. These results highlight the biocompatibility of SFS-extracted bixin, supporting its potential in food, cosmetics, and biomedicine. The study demonstrates that SFS is an effective, sustainable alternative to traditional solvents, offering high extraction efficiency and minimal toxicity. This method aligns with green chemistry principles, providing a promising solution for bixin production.

Keywords: urucum; Bombyx mori; solvent eco-friendly; green extraction; MTT assay (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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