How we scored it
Whole seed: all mass is annatto seed constituents (bixin and norbixin carotenoids, oil, protein, fibre), n=1; no reagents involved. 100% / 100% = 1.0.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.
Where it comes from
Dominant route is harvesting and drying Bixa orellana seeds, grown in tropical regions. No commercially significant non-plant route exists.
In plain English
The seed of the annatto tree, a tropical shrub whose seeds are also used as an orange-red food colour. In cosmetics the seed material is used as an antioxidant and to soften the skin. It comes entirely from the plant.
CosIng definition: Bixa Orellana Seed is the seed of the Annatto, Bixa orellana L., Bixaceae
References
- 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
- 2BIXA ORELLANA SEED. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3BIXA ORELLANA SEED. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=BIXA%20ORELLANA%20SEED