N. Frega et al., Identification and estimation of tocotrienols in the annatto lipid fraction by gas chromatography mass spectrometry, J AM OIL CH, 75(12), 1998, pp. 1723-1727
The lipid fraction of annatto (Bixa orellana L.) seeds was extracted with a
Soxhlet apparatus with n-hexane and isolated by thin-layer chromatography.
The fatty-soluble antioxidant fraction contained only tocotrienols, mainly
delta-tocotrienol, but no tocopherols. The presence of tocotrienols was co
nfirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The quantities of delta-to
cotrienol were 140-147 mg/100 g dry seeds and 5.2-5.5% wt/wt of lipid extra
ct, determined by gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatogr
aphy, respectively. Currently no vegetable species seems to contain compara
ble concentrations of delta-tocotrienol.