The aim of this work was to determine (1) the total phenolic compound (TPC), total flavonoid compound (TFC) and bixin and norbixin content of polar extracts of leaves (ALE) and seed (ASE) from annatto (Bixa orellana L.); (2) the antioxidant activity, the ALE and ASE by means of different antioxidant tests, and (3) the effectiveness of ALE and ASE on the growth inhibition of several bacterial strains. Five different test systems were used to determine the antioxidant activity, while the microdilution method was used to test for antimicrobial activity. ALE presented higher (P < 0.05) TPC and TFC than ASE. As regards antioxidant activity, at all the concentrations tested and with all the methods, except the Rancimat test, the ALE samples showed higher (P < 0.05) antioxidant activity than ASE samples. As regards antibacterial activity, ASE was a stronger inhibitor (P < 0.05) of bacterial growth than ALE. Both ALE and ASE could be used as alternative natural preservatives in food matrices due to mainly their broad antioxidant activity and lesser extent of their antibacterial activity. Practical Applications The B. orellana seed and leaf extracts could be suitable for application in on the food industry because It is an important source phenolic, flavonoids and carotenoids compounds, the antioxidant properties of which could be very appreciated in a big number of food processing to avoid its oxidation not only during processing but also during storage period. However, their antimicrobial action is limited. Other important reason for their suitability is their natural origin, which consumers find comforting.

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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by increased oxidative stress and a pro-inflammatory state. Vaccinium meridionale Swartz (known as “agraz”) is a berry rich in polyphenolic compounds with demonstrated antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of agraz consumption on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in women with MetS. Forty women with MetS (47 ± 9 years) were randomly assigned to consume daily either 200 mL of agraz nectar or placebo over four weeks in a double-blind, cross-over design study, separated by a 4-week washout period. Metabolic and inflammatory markers in serum and antioxidant/oxidative stress markers in serum and urine were assessed at the end of each period. Serum antioxidant capacity measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method was significantly higher (p = 0.028), while urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was lower (p = 0.041) after agraz consumption, compared to placebo. In conclusion, consumption of agraz during four weeks increased serum antioxidant capacity and decreased a marker of DNA oxidative damage in women with MetS, compared to placebo. These results suggest that agraz consumption may play a protective role in patients with MetS.

This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity (i.e., against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) and the antioxidant activity (i.e., ABTS, FRAP, and DPPH) of annatto seeds extract obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction. A response surface design with three levels such as pH (2-11), solvent concentration (50-96 %), seed-to-solvent ratio (1:2–1:10), and treatment time (0-30 min) was employed to determine the optimal experimental conditions. Thus, a pH of 7.0, seed-to-solvent ratio of 1:7, and treatment time of 20 min were selected as optimal rendering an extract having a 0.62% of bixin, 3.81 mg gallic acid/mg equivalent of polyphenol compounds (ABTS 1035.7, FRAP 424.7, and DPPH 1161.5 μM trolox/L), and a minimal inhibitory concentration against Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus of 32 and 16 mg/L, respectively. Further, the main bioactive compounds identified by LC/ESI-MS were bixin and catechin, chlorogenic acid, chrysin, butein, hypolaetin, licochalcone A, and xanthohumol.