Abstract
The annatto is a yellow-orange dye extracted from the pulp of Bixa orellana L. seeds, a tree native of tropical forests. The composition of this dye consists basically of carotenoids, such as bixin, norbixin and nobixate. Bixin, a highest amount compound, has a liposoluble characteristic that facilitates its interaction with cell membranes. The present study evaluated the dye association viability in vegetable histology of Bixa orellana L., Morinda citrifolia L. and Petiveria alliacea L. leaves. The annatto dye was obtained by extraction in methanol (1:6 w/v) by maceration of Bixa orellana seeds. The analyzes were carried out in cross sections of the vegetal samples collected in the “Berta Lange Morretes” Medical Garden of Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA). After clarification with sodium hypochlorite, the staining was performed in an average immersion time of 10 seconds, for both the urucum + methylene blue association in the 2:1 (A1) and 1:1 (A2) concentrations as well as for the blue methylene 1% and annatto dye 2%. All sections were mounted between blade and coverslip with distilled water, and visualized under an optical microscope. The A1 allowed a better morphological visualization of the anatomical structures due to the acidic characteristic of bixin which reacts with basic pH components of plant, and the alkaline characteristic of methylene blue that reacts with structures of acidic nature. This association represents a staining technique that can contribute alternatively as plant histological dyes.
Highlights
The Bixa orellana L. is a woody plant of the family Bixaceae that is original of Tropical America and native to the Amazon and Atlantic Forest
The present study evaluated the dye association viability in vegetable histology of Bixa orellana L., Morinda citrifolia L. and Petiveria alliacea L. leaves
The Brazil leads the world production of annatto seeds with a harvest estimate in 2016 of just over 10.000 tons, representing 39% of world production followed by Peru with 22%, Ivory Coast and Ghana with 18% and Kenya with 7% [3]
Summary
The Bixa orellana L. is a woody plant of the family Bixaceae that is original of Tropical America and native to the Amazon and Atlantic Forest. The main pigment of annatto is the bixin, corresponding to more than 80% of carotenoids found in these seeds. Some synthetic dyes have high affinity for certain substances present in plant structures, such as zinc chloride that selectively dye the cellulose in blue. It becomes necessary to study and search for new dyes with quality comparable to those usually employed. Another important factor in obtaining new colorants is their low cost of production, their good yield and their low toxicity. In the search for new options for plant histological staining, the present work aimed to associate methylene blue with annatto dye, in order to contribute to studies that search the production of an effective and low-cost vegetable histological dye
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