Commercialization of agricultural products, including seeds and its derived products, represents an important economic source for developing countries. Natural colorants obtained from the seeds of achiote plant (annatto) have been used since pre-Hispanic times. Also, production of this crop has been important for Mayan cuisine. Annual world production of achiote seeds is approximately 14,500 tons (dry weight). Two thirds of the production is commercialized as dried seeds and the rest as colorant. Latin America produces 60% of the total world production, followed by Africa (27%) and Asia (12%). The main producers in Latin America are Peru, Brazil and Mexico. The purpose of the present paper is to review the most recent literature on Bixa orellana L. focusing on bixin, norbixin, tocotrienols and tocopherols biosynthesis, use and industrial applications of annatto extracts, as well as its nutraceutical potential and its benefits for human health.

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RESUMEN. Las rizobacterias promueven el crecimiento vegetal e inducen la acumulación de proteínas de defensa, por lo que el objetivo fue cuantificar la producción de ácido indolacético (AIA) en cinco aislados de Bacillus spp. Los aislados con mayor producción de AIA se usaron para evaluar la germinación, crecimiento e inducción de las B-glucanasas en plántulas de chile habanero. Los aislados CBRF5, CBRF12 y CBCC57 produjeron AIA desde las 24 h de incubación con 6.66, 7.95 y 7.05 µg mL −1 , respectivamente. Los aislados CBCC57 y CBRF5 disminuyeron el porcentaje de germinación, mientras que CBRF12 no tuvo efecto significativo. Los aislados CBCC57 y CBRF12 aumentaron el área foliar y biomasa seca en las plántulas. Se observó aumento significativo en la actividad de B-glucanasas con el aislado CBCC57 en relación a CBRF12 y CBRF5. Los resultados muestran que Bacillus CBRF12 y CBCC57 tienen potencial como promotoras del crecimiento de plántulas de chile habanero. Palabras clave: Ácido indolacético, chile habanero, índice de calidad, rizobacterias. ABSTRACT. Rhizobacteria promote plant growth and induce accumulation of defense proteins, so the objective of this study was to quantify the production of indoleacetic acid (IAA) in five isolates of Bacillus spp. The isolates with the highest IAA production were used to evaluate germination, growth and induction of B-glucanases in habanero pepper seedlings. Isolates CBRF5, CBRF12 and CBCC57 produced IAA from 24 h of incubation with 6.66, 7.95 and 7.05 µg mL-−1 , respectively. Isolates CBCC57 and CBRF5 decreased the germination percentage, while CBRF12 had no significant effect. Isolates CBCC57 and CBRF12 increased leaf area and dry biomass in the seedlings. A significant increase in B-glucanase activity was observed with isolate CBCC57 in relation to CBRF12 and CBRF5. Results show that Bacillus CBRF12 and CBCC57 have potential as growth promoters of habanero pepper seedlings.