Annatto seed
Annatto seed
Purity Levels
Bixin 95% and nor-bixin 40%
Extraction Technologies
Mechotech designs and manufactures turnkey herbal extraction plants for Annatto seed, standardised to Bixin 95% and nor-bixin 40%. We supply the complete machinery to process Annatto seed into a consistent extract for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, and fragrance industries. Candidate extraction technologies for norbixin: Counter-Current Extraction (CCE), Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE), Hybrid Extraction and Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) (4 in total).
Mechotech's Annatto seed plant is engineered around the specific chemistry and processing requirements of Annatto seed. Built in SS 316L with integrated solvent recovery, automation, and full documentation, each plant is delivered as a commissioned turnkey system configured to meet the Bixin 95% and nor-bixin 40% specification.
Technical Specifications
| Product | Annatto seed Extraction Plant |
|---|---|
| Feedstock | Annatto seeds |
| Part / Feed Form | Seeds |
| Target Extract | Norbixin |
| Standardisation | Bixin 95% and nor-bixin 40% |
| Extraction Method | Counter-current, UAE, Hybrid, MAE |
| Technology Count | 4 |
| Product-contact Material | SS 316L, electropolished, CIP-cleanable |
| Automation | PLC-SCADA, configured to requirement |
Plant Capacities
| Plant Scale | Raw Material Throughput | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot | Configured to your feedstock and trial plan | Product development, parameter validation |
| Semi-Commercial | Configured between pilot and commercial scale | Contract manufacturing, scale-up trials |
| Commercial | Configured to raw-material supply and confirmed buyer volume | Commercial production at confirmed buyer volume |
Capacity is configured to raw-material supply and confirmed buyer volume; we recommend a pilot plant to validate process parameters before scaling.
Manufacturing Process
Each extraction method follows a different process — pick a method to see its steps.
Raw-Material Preparation
Annatto seeds are cleaned and size-reduced so norbixin can be reached by the extraction medium; particle size and moisture are set during process development.
Counter-Current Loading
Prepared Annatto seeds are fed into a multi-stage solid–liquid counter-current extractor where fresh ethanol/water or a suitable food-grade solvent meets the most-depleted material.
Counter-Current Extraction
Solvent flows against the solids across stages to draw out norbixin; bed flow and fines management are verified during pilot work.
Extract (Miscella) Collection
The norbixin-bearing miscella is collected from the fresh-feed end while spent solids are discharged from the solvent-entry end.
Concentration & Solvent Recovery
Solvent is removed from the clarified norbixin-bearing extract under vacuum and returned through a solvent-recovery loop; recovery performance is confirmed at pilot scale.
Standardisation & Drying
The norbixin extract is assayed against the declared target specification and dried or supplied as a concentrate, according to the requirement.
Raw-Material Preparation
Annatto seeds are cleaned and size-reduced so norbixin can be reached by the extraction medium; particle size and moisture are set during process development.
Slurrying
Prepared Annatto seeds are slurried with ethanol/water or water in the extraction vessel.
Ultrasonic Cavitation
Ultrasound creates cavitation that disrupts the seeds tissue and speeds release of norbixin; probe intensity, temperature and filtration behaviour are piloted.
Separation
Spent seeds are separated by filtration or centrifugation and the extract is clarified before concentration.
Concentration & Solvent Recovery
Solvent is removed from the clarified norbixin-bearing extract under vacuum and returned through a solvent-recovery loop; recovery performance is confirmed at pilot scale.
Standardisation & Drying
The norbixin extract is assayed against the declared target specification and dried or supplied as a concentrate, according to the requirement.
Raw-Material Preparation
Annatto seeds are cleaned and size-reduced so norbixin can be reached by the extraction medium; particle size and moisture are set during process development.
Stage Sequence Selection
A deliberate combined extraction train is used: the sequence of stages is selected for norbixin in pilot screening and each stage is designed separately.
First Assisted Stage
The first stage releases norbixin from the seeds under controlled conditions set for that stage.
Second / Combined Stage
The second stage completes recovery of norbixin from the partially extracted material; stage conditions are optimised separately.
Separation & Concentration
Spent solids are removed and the combined extract is clarified and concentrated; solvent is recovered where a solvent is used.
Standardisation & Drying
The norbixin extract is assayed against the declared target specification and dried or supplied as a concentrate, according to the requirement.
Raw-Material Preparation
Annatto seeds are cleaned and size-reduced so norbixin can be reached by the extraction medium; particle size and moisture are set during process development.
Medium Mixing
Prepared Annatto seeds are mixed with ethanol/water or water in the microwave extraction vessel.
Microwave Heating & Extraction
Controlled microwave heating drives norbixin out of the seeds in a short cycle; heating, moisture, solvent safety and temperature-sensitive targets are controlled, with limits set during process development and pilot validation.
Separation
Spent seeds are separated by filtration or centrifugation and the extract is clarified before concentration.
Concentration & Solvent Recovery
Solvent is removed from the clarified norbixin-bearing extract under vacuum and returned through a solvent-recovery loop; recovery performance is confirmed at pilot scale.
Standardisation & Drying
The norbixin extract is assayed against the declared target specification and dried or supplied as a concentrate, according to the requirement.
Major Plant Equipment
- Raw-material cleaning and size-reduction system
- Multi-stage counter-current extractor
- Solvent storage tanks and transfer pumps
- Ultrasonic extraction vessel with transducer system
- Combined extraction train (stage equipment per the selected sequence)
- Microwave extraction vessel with temperature and safety controls
- Filtration / centrifugation system
- Vacuum evaporator
- Solvent recovery system with condensers
- Dryer (where a dried form is specified)
- CIP (clean-in-place) system
- Storage and finished-product tanks
- PLC-SCADA control panel and instrumentation
Plant Output
From Plant to Product
Annato seed Extract
This botanical is also in the product range of Sureka Life Sciences, our sister concern in botanical ingredients.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical standardised ingredient supply
- Nutraceutical capsule, tablet, and supplement manufacturing
- Food, flavour, and beverage applications
- Cosmetic and personal care active ingredients
- Ayurvedic and traditional medicine preparations
- Export to regulated-market ingredient buyers
Key Features
GMP Hygienic SS 316L Construction
Electropolished SS 316L product-contact surfaces use GMP hygienic design, with CIP operation between batches.
Closed-Loop Solvent Recovery
Integrated recovery returns solvent to the process.
Standardised to Specification
In-process and batch-release assay are used to check the finished Annatto seed extract against its declared specification (Bixin 95% and nor-bixin 40%).
Integrated Drying
A matched spray/vacuum dryer produces a free-flowing, low-moisture powder ready for encapsulation and blending.
Scalable Batch Capacity
Plants are configured to requirement from pilot scale upward, with modular expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Annatto seed extraction plant?
Which feedstock and target extract does the Annatto seed plant cover?
Does Mechotech supply the complete machinery for Annatto seed?
What specification can the Annatto seed plant achieve?
What production capacities are available for the Annatto seed plant?
Which industries use the Annatto seed plant?
Which extraction technologies are candidates for Annatto seeds?
How does the Annatto seed extraction process work?
What equipment does the Annatto seed extraction plant include?
Is a pilot trial recommended for Annatto seeds extraction?
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