Annatto

The application of natural substances with bactericidal effects is the goal of research aimed at more sustainable production, which implies various sources of substances for new therapeutic formulations. This study presents the chemical characterization, toxicity, and antimicrobial activity of essential oil (EO) from Bixa orellana Labill leaves. EO was extracted through hydrodistillation at 100 °C for 3 hours. Physicochemical parameters were determined, and chemical characterization was performed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The toxicity assessment was conducted using the bioassay with Artemia salina Leach. The methods of disk diffusion and broth dilution were employed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity against the bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The LC50 in the toxicity assay was determined to be 355 mg L-1 and classified as non-toxic. The EO exhibited antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms and contained a total of 320 mg EAT g-1 of total phenols. The results obtained underscore the importance of highlighting this product as a therapeutic alternative and promoting its application potential.