Investigación cualitativa de vitamina A y provitamina A en el achiote (<i>Bixa orellana</i> L.)

Abstract

A study is reported of vitamin A and provitamin A in the coloring matter of the seeds of Bixa orellana L. Chemical tests showed the absence of vitamin A and of carotenoids capa­ble of a positive Carr-Price reaction. Biological tests were made on groups of white rats using "raw" (chlo­roform), and "cooked" (hot water) extracts of Bixa seeds, with a control group and a reference group which was fed 5 I. U. Vitamin A thrice a week. The results, as presented in tables 1-4 and in graph 1, show the carotenoid substances of Bixa seeds to be susceptible of use by the rats organism as a provitamin, and the usual hot water extraction to diminish apparently the quan­tity or the value of such a provitamin.