Scientists can detect the presence of carminic acid through liquid chromatography and a diode array detector combined with a mass spectrometer with a quadruple-time-of-flight analyzer (LC-DAD-QTOF). Identification and characteristics Carminic acid structure Use of carmine as a staining agent in histology (here on a flatworm) To obtain 1 pound of red dye, 70,000 cochineal insects are required. For shades of purple, lime is added to the alum.

The traditional crimson color is affected not only by carminic acid but also by choice of its chelating metal salt ion. Stannous chloride, citric acid, borax, or gelatin may be added to modify the precipitation. Purity of color is ensured by the absence of iron. This precipitate is called 'carmine lake' or 'crimson lake'. After separating the insoluble matter, the extract is treated with alum to precipitate the red solid. To prepare carmine, the powdered scale insect bodies are boiled in an ammonia or sodium carbonate solution. Its instability presents challenges for use in art and textiles, but this is less of a hindrance in the context of cosmetics. Therefore, natural cochineal carmine is predominant on the market. Synthetic carminic acid is complex and expensive to produce. Attempts have been made to farm cochineal.Ĭarmine is a colorant used in the manufacture of artificial flowers, paints, crimson ink, rouge and other cosmetics, and some medications. The pigment is produced from carminic acid, which is extracted from some scale insects such as the cochineal scale ( Prima), and certain Porphyrophora species ( Armenian cochineal and Polish cochineal). Further details may exist on the talk page. Please expand the section to include this information. This section is missing information about synthetic production (claimed to exist in later passage on EU medicine use). The combination of these factors contributed to the end of the Spanish monopoly and considerably lowered the price of carmine, making it accessible to a wider audience. Later, German and British scientists created a chemical red dye that competed with carmine. In European markets, the Spanish Crown had a monopoly on cochineal until 1820 when the French learned to cultivate them. As part of the triangular trade, its production and consumption were intertwined with slavery. By weight, it was a far more valuable commodity than sugar, making it especially lucrative for overseas trade. : 166Ĭochineal was a major source of income for the Spanish Crown. Through the centuries, red has been worn by tribal chiefs, kings and queens, and military officers. Red is a color often associated with power and social status.

It was imported later to Europe during the 16th century. Carmine pigment was extensively used by the Aztec civilization to dye textiles. South American civilizations crushed the bugs present on cacti to extract the carmine they contain. History įemale Dactylopius coccus (cochineal) insects were used for their red coloring power as early as 700 BC. It is a popular food color, used in yogurt, candy, gelatin, meat, and beverages including fruit juices. The word 'carmine' has been used as a color name as early as 1799.

: 131 The form of the term may also have been influenced in Latin by minium ('red lead, cinnabar'), said to be of Iberian origin. The Persian word for 'worm, insect' is kirm, and in Iran ( Persia) the red colorant carmine was extracted from the bodies of dead female insects such as Kermes vermilio and cochineal. The Persian term carmir is likely cognate with Sanskrit krimiga ('insect-produced'), from krmi ('worm, insect'). The English word 'carmine' is derived from the French word carmin (12th century), from Medieval Latin carminium, from Persian قرمز qirmiz ('crimson'), which itself derives from Middle Persian carmir ('red, crimson'). Carmine is also a general term for a particularly deep-red color.Įtymology A cluster of Dactylopius coccus (cochineal scale) females growing in Barlovento, Canary Islands Specific code names for the pigment include natural red 4, C.I. 75470, or E120. For other uses, see Carmine (color) and Carmine (disambiguation).Ĭarmine ( / ˈ k ɑːr m ə n, ˈ k ɑːr m aɪ n/) – also called cochineal (when it is extracted from the cochineal insect), cochineal extract, crimson lake, or carmine lake – is a pigment of a bright- red color obtained from the aluminium complex derived from carminic acid.

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