Cochineal Insect Chemistry

Cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus) live on the prickly pear cactus in Central and South America and Mexico. The females produce carminic acid and can be used to produce dyes for food, textiles and makeup. The carminic acid is pH sensitive and changes colour with the addition of an acid or base. At pH values below 4.5, it appears pale orange; at pH 7–7.7 light red and red, and at pH above 12, its color is magenta-red (Dapson, 2005, 2007 in Müller-Maatsch & Gras, 2016) References: J. Müller-Maatsch, C. Gras (2016) Handbook on Natural Pigments in Food and Beverages [Web article] retrieved Aug 23, 2019 from The MAIWA Guide to Natural Dyes: What they are and How to Use them (n.d.) [Web article] retrieved Aug 23, 2019 from Resource: Cochineal Dying (2015, Jul 30) [Web article] retrieved Aug 23, 2019 from