Cochineal Red Pigment

What is Cochineal Red Pigment?

Cochineal Red Pigment is an extract from dried female D. coccus. The only natural coloring that FDA allows to be added to food, drugs, and cosmetics at the same time. Has intense color and very high color fastness. 

Cochineal Pigment is one of the most precious natural red dyes in the world. This rare and expensive natural dye was widely used in textiles before the 16th century. At present, cochineal is still used as an important red dye in textiles, food, beverages, cosmetics, quasi-drugs, and pharmaceuticals.

What are the main ingredients of Cochineal Red Pigment?

The relative content of coloring compounds in the cochineal determines the quality of the dye. Carminic acid, also known as carminic acid, is the main component of cochineal red with a relative molecular weight of 492.39. It is a glucosylated anthraquinone, accounting for about 94%-98% of the total coloring compounds.

cochineal extracts is very soluble in water and turns dark red water. It can also be dissolved in other polar solvents such as methanol, ethanol, acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide, etc., and produce different colors, but it is insoluble in ether and chloroform. , Petroleum ether, toluene, benzene, and other non-polar or weakly polar solvents. Carminic acid has a pH range of 2-9 and exhibits different colors at different pH values. In acidic solutions, its color varies from yellow (pH=4.8) to deep purple (pH=6.2) depending on the pH. Under acidic conditions, the addition of alum precipitation can further purify carminic acid and produce a more vivid red aluminum salt, that is cochineal red lake, also known as cochineal red aluminum (Carmine), which is used as an insoluble red dye.

Carminic acid has strong stability and antioxidant capacity. For example, it can still preserve more than 50% after being exposed to direct sunlight for 7 days; after 8 hours of treatment in the range of low temperature to high temperature, the preservation rate can reach 95% and above.

The minor components of cochineal pigment account for about 2%-6%. The study found that DCIV (2-C-α-glucofuranoside) and DCVII (2-C-β-glucofuranoside) are two types of carminic acid. Isomers can be converted into carminic acid under certain conditions. However, carminic acid is very stable, only a very small amount of carminic acid is converted into DCIV and DCVII, and in most cases, two isomers are converted into carminic acid.

The contents of Kermesic acid and Flavokermesic acid were also relatively high in cochineal. C-glucosyltransferase bound to the cell membrane is involved in the conversion between these two acids and carminic acid, thereby promoting the biosynthesis of carminic acid.

Is Cochineal Red Pigment safe?

Cochineal Pigment has an extremely high safety profile within a certain dose range. This is in line with the basic principles of toxicology, as long as the toxicity is related to the dose. The maximum allowable residue level of carminic acid in red preserves is 200 mg/kg. The maximum amount used in cooked meat products is 500 mg/kg. The maximum amount used in puffed food is 100 mg/kg. Therefore, the FDA allows carminic acid to be used not only in food but also in drugs and cosmetics. Overall, carminic acid is safe.

Application:

Traditional application

Historically, cochineal has frequently appeared in portraits, sculptures, and other cultural relics. Such as the famous gilded polychrome sculpture "Our Lady of Copacabana", carved in 1583. The researchers analyzed the red part of the sculpture to contain cochineal through micro-Raman spectroscopy combined with scanning microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography.

Disease treatment

Studies have shown that anthraquinone compounds exist in higher plants such as Polygonaceae, Leguminosae, and Scrophulariaceae. This class of anthraquinones is contained in cochineal red pigment. Anthraquinone pigments extracted from cochineal have a repairing effect on DNA damage caused by carcinogens in Drosophila. At the same time, cochineal red pigment can also be used to prevent and treat viral diseases, such as herpes stomatitis, AIDS, and so on. Pertussis is an extremely persistent condition that typically lasts 4-6 weeks, and medical staff has tried various methods with little success. Cochineal pigment has a certain therapeutic effect on this stubborn symptom.

Photosensitive cell

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are composed of nanoporous semiconducting oxide electrodes, corresponding adsorbed dyes and electrolytes, and a counter electrode. Its sensitizers include inorganic, organic, hybrid dyes, and other types. The Cochineal Red Pigment can bind strongly to the surface of TiO2 to obtain a strong electronic driving force through the excited state oxidation potential and related thermodynamic advantages. Therefore, it can be used as a good photosensitizer in dye-sensitized solar cells.

Pest detection and commercialization of vegetable production

Acidified cochineal pigment can effectively stain some insect larvae. Based on this feature, cochineal red pigment can play a greater role in pest detection.

Where to buy Cochineal Red Pigment?

Yansheng International Group Ltd. has more than 17 years of production, R&D, and sales experience. We can provide you with exclusive customized services! You just need to tell us your needs through this page or medical@ysgcn.com

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