Chemical, physicochemical and biological characterization of a tocotrienol-rich lipid fraction from Bixa orellana L.

The valorization of industrial plant by-products has emerged as a sustainable alternative for the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients of natural origin. This study aimed to chemically, physicochemically, and biologically characterize a tocotrienol-enriched lipid fraction (FT3) obtained from the industrial residue production from bixina extraction from Bixa orellana L. seeds. Chromatographic, spectrophotometric, thermal, physicochemical, and in vitro biological analyses were performed. HPLC revealed average levels of 63.62±1.34% δ-tocotrienol and 8.00±0.21% γ-tocotrienol, totaling 71.62±1.57% tocotrienols. The fraction showed low moisture (0.11±0.06%), high solid content (99.89±0.06%), water activity of 0.4783, and dynamic viscosity of 1908 cP at 30 rpm. Thin-layer chromatography confirmed the presence of unsaturated compounds and high levels of terpenes and steroids, whereas phenols, tannins, alkaloids, and coumarins were not detected. FT3 showed antioxidant activity (EC 50 =109.44±2.32 μg/mL, DPPH; 0.793±0.05 μmol Fe 2+ /g, FRAP) and selective antiproliferative effects on tumor lines, notably MCF-7 (TGI=23.5±19.3 μg/mL) and U251 (TGI=32.0±9.3 μg/mL). The non-tumor HaCaT line also showed sensitivity (TGI=20.2±0.9 μg/mL). Accelerated stability testing indicated greater tocotrienol preservation under refrigeration (6.6°C) in aluminum sachets (63.56% after 180 days), while degradation was higher under 45°C in plastic vessels (59.99±0.14%). FT3 is a promising multifunctional botanical input with potential for cosmetic, foods, and pharmaceutical applications [ 1 ] [ 2 ]. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany