Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines are used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals as a red dye.
In cosmetics, Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines are widely used in lipsticks, blushes, and eye products due to their strong pigmentation and skin compatibility.
In pharmaceuticals, Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines serve as coloring agents in tablets, capsules, and syrups.
COCHINEAL
CAS Number: 1390-65-4 (commonly assigned to cochineal extract)
EC Number: 215-724-4
Molecular Formula: Not a single defined formula (mixture), main component: C₂₂H₂₀O₁₃ (carminic acid)
Molecular Weight: Not fixed (mixture); main component ~492.39 g/mol
CARMINIC ACID
CAS Number: 1260-17-9
EC Number: 215-724-4
MDL Number: MFCD00167028
Molecular Formula: C₂₂H₂₀O₁₃
Molecular Weight: 492.39 g/mol
CARMINES
CAS Number: 1390-65-4
EC Number: 215-724-4
E number: E120 (colours)
Molecular Formula: Typically represented as C₂₂H₂₀O₁₃ (for carminic acid, the main component)
Molecular Weight: ~492.39 g/mol (carminic acid basis)
SYNONYMS:
Beetroot extract, anthocyanins, and synthetic dyes are common substitutes
Cochineal, Cochineal extract, Carminic acid, Carmine, Carmines, Natural Red 4, CI 75470, E120, Cochineal dye, Carmine lake, Crimson pigment, Dactylopius coccus extract, Karmin
COCHINEAL SYNONYMS:
Cochineal, Cochineal extract, Cochineal dye, Natural Red 4, CI 75470, E120, Crimson extract, Carmine precursor, Dactylopius coccus extract, Cochineal color, Karmin (extract form)
Natural Red 4, CI 75470, cochenille (Fr.), Cochenille (Deut.), cocciniglia (It.), cochinilla (Esp.), Nopalschildlaus (Deut.), Koschenille (Deut.), Karmin (Deut.), kogchinili (Gr.), cocciniglia (It.), cochenille (Ned.), cochonilha (Port.), cochinilha (Port.), carmine, crimson lake, grana, purple lake, red lake, Florentine lake, Venice lake, Paris lake, Vienna lake, nochestli, Nupal's blood, globe lake, karmesin lake, Munich lake, metica, mestique, grana finia, grana silvestra, zacatilla (black cochineal), Dactylopius coccus, Coccus cacti
CARMINIC ACİD SYNONYMS:
IUPAC name: 7-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl)-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracene-2-carboxylic acid, Systematic IUPAC name: ,5,6,8-Tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-7-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]-9,10-dihydroanthracene-2-carboxylic acid, Carminic acid, C.I. Natural Red 4, C.I. 75470, CI 75470, CARMINIC ACID, 1260-17-9, Natural red 4, Cochineal tincture, Sun Red No. 1, Sanred 1, CI Natural Red 4, Sun Red 1, San-Ei Gen San Red 1, C.I. Natural red 4, 2-Anthracenecarboxylic acid, 7-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-9,10-dihydro-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-, E 120 (dye), CI 75470, E 120, CID8Z8N95N, DTXSID9022817, C.I. 75470, E120, DTXCID902817, E-120, CHEBI:78310, INS-120, NSC-6196, NSC-326224, 3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-7-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]anthracene-2-carboxylic acid, CI-(1975)-NO.75470, 3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-7-((2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl)anthracene-2-carboxylic acid, RefChem:918083, 2-Anthracenecarboxylic Acid,
CARMINES SYNONYMS:
Systematic IUPAC name: aluminium,calcium,1-methyl-3,5,6,8-tetraoxido-9,10-dioxo-7-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]anthracene-2-carboxylate, carmine red, cochineal, crimson lake, carmine lake, Natural Red 4, C.I. 75470, Carmine, Cochineal, Cochineal Extract, Carminic Acid Lake, Natural Red 4, CI 75470, E120, Crimson Lake, C.I. Natural Red 4, Karmin, Carmines, Carmine, 1390-65-4, B Rose liquid, 3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-7-[(2R,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]anthracene-2-carboxylic acid, Carmine (Coccus cacti L.), Cochineal (Coccus cacti L.), Cochineal Dye, Dye, Cochineal, 3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-7-((2R,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl)anthracene-2-carboxylic acid, RefChem:574680, DTXSID2044216, 7-glucopyranosyl-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxyl-1-methyl-9,10-dioxoanthracene-2-carboxylic acid, 215-724-4, Carmine Red, ST069339, 7-[(5S,2R,3R,4R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)(2H-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropy ran-2-yl)]-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxoanthracene-2-carboxylic aci d, NSC326224, NCGC00091708-04, SCHEMBL34094, CHEMBL1366408, DGQLVPJVXFOQEV-NGOCYOHBSA-N, BDBM50404357, SBB012606, AKOS024283495, CCG-208345, SMP1_000058, NCGC00091708-01, NCGC00091708-02, NCGC00091708-05, NCGC00091708-06, NCGC00091708-07, 3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-7-[(2R,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydropyran-2-yl]anthracene-2-carboxylic acid, SR-05000002302, SR-05000002302-2, 2-Anthracenecarboxylic acid, 7-.alpha.-D-glucopyranosyl-9,10-dihydro-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxo-, E120, Natural red 4, Crimson lake, Carmine lake, CI 75470, Cochineal extract, Cochineal, Carminic acid, Natural colorings
Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines collectively represent a natural red coloring system widely known as E120, which is derived from the insect Dactylopius coccus.
This system is not a single chemical substance but rather a progression from raw biological material to refined pigment.
Cochineal is the crude extract obtained from dried insects, carminic acid is the main chromophoric molecule responsible for the color, and carmines are the stabilized metal complexes formed from this molecule.
From a chemical perspective, carminic acid is an anthraquinone glycoside with a highly conjugated structure that enables strong absorption of visible light, producing an intense red color.
This compound typically constitutes a significant portion of the extract and is responsible for the functional properties of the entire system.
When reacted with metal ions such as aluminum or calcium, it forms coordination complexes (carmines) that exhibit reduced solubility and enhanced resistance to environmental conditions.
The production process is labor-intensive and involves harvesting insects, drying them, and extracting the pigment using water or alcohol.
It has been estimated that a very large number of insects are required to produce relatively small quantities of dye, which contributes to its relatively high cost and unique market position.
One of the most important characteristics of this system is its exceptional stability compared to other natural colorants.
It shows good resistance to heat, light, and oxidation, making it suitable for industrial food processing conditions.
Additionally, it maintains stability over a relatively wide pH range, although the exact color expressed depends strongly on pH, shifting from orange in acidic environments to red and then purple as the pH increases.
In terms of applications, E120 is extensively used as a coloring agent in food products such as dairy items, beverages, confectionery, processed meats, and bakery products.
It is also widely applied in cosmetics, particularly in lipsticks and blushes, due to its strong pigmentation and compatibility with various formulations.
In pharmaceuticals, it is used as a coating or coloring agent in tablets and syrups to improve product appearance and identification.
A key advantage of Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines is their natural origin combined with high tinctorial strength, meaning that only small amounts are required to achieve the desired color intensity.
Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines are also considered more stable than many plant-based alternatives, such as anthocyanins, which are more sensitive to environmental changes.
Another important consideration is ethical and dietary acceptability.
Since these colorants are derived from insects, they may not be suitable for vegetarians, vegans, or certain religious dietary practices.
This has led to increased demand for alternative natural or synthetic red colorants in some markets.
Overall, Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines represents one of the most historically significant and technically effective natural coloring systems.
Its combination of strong color intensity, relatively high stability, and broad applicability ensures its continued use across multiple industries, despite certain limitations related to allergenicity and source origin.
Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines are among the most stable natural red dyes available.
The transformation from cochineal to carminic acid and finally to carmine represents increasing levels of purification and stability.
Despite Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines's advantages, variability in raw material sources and potential allergenicity remain important considerations in formulation and regulatory compliance.
Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines represent a biologically sourced pigment system in which the chromophoric functionality is governed by an anthraquinone backbone.
The core molecule, carminic acid, is biosynthesized within the insect and acts as a defensive compound.
From a chemical engineering perspective, the transformation from cochineal extract to carmine pigment involves purification followed by metal chelation, which significantly alters physicochemical behavior such as solubility, dispersibility, and environmental resistance.
One of the most distinctive aspects of this system is its coordination chemistry.
Carminic acid forms chelate complexes with multivalent metal ions (commonly Al³⁺ or Ca²⁺), resulting in pigment lakes with enhanced insolubility and improved fastness properties.
This transformation is critical in applications where dye migration or bleeding must be prevented, such as in solid foods, coatings, and cosmetic matrices.
From a formulation standpoint, Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines exhibit strong interactions with proteins and polysaccharides, which can influence hue, stability, and binding efficiency in complex systems like dairy products or emulsions.
Additionally, ionic strength and the presence of polyvalent cations can significantly modify color expression due to shifts in molecular aggregation and complex formation equilibria.
Another important feature is Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines's photophysical behavior.
Carminic acid absorbs strongly in the visible region due to π–π* transitions within the anthraquinone structure.
However, photodegradation may occur through oxidative pathways, particularly under UV exposure, leading to gradual discoloration.
Stabilization strategies often involve antioxidants or encapsulation techniques.
Cochineal-derived colorants are natural red pigments obtained from the insect Dactylopius coccus.
This system consists of three closely related forms: the raw extract (cochineal), the active coloring molecule (carminic acid), and its stabilized pigment derivatives (carmines).
Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines are natural red pigments derived from the dried bodies of the female insect Dactylopius coccus, found on cactus plants.
Carminic acid is the coloring agent, carmine is the pigment refined from it, and cochineal is the extract.
COCHINEAL
Cochineal is a natural red dye obtained from the dried bodies of the female Dactylopius coccus insect.
Cochineal has been used for centuries as a coloring agent in textiles, food, and cosmetics.
The primary coloring component of cochineal is carminic acid, which can be further processed to produce carmine pigments.
Unlike pure chemical substances, cochineal is a complex natural extract rather than a single defined compound.
Cochineal is classified as a natural dye and is commonly labeled as E120 in the European Union.
Its composition variability distinguishes Cochineal from pure compounds like carminic acid, making standardization an important factor in industrial use.
Cochineal serves as the raw material for producing carmine pigments through complexation with metal ions such as aluminum or calcium.
This process significantly enhances color stability and expands Cochineal's range of applications.
Cochineal was also used for handicrafts and tapestries.
Cochineal is one of the few water-soluble colorants to resist degradation with time.
Cochineal is one of the most light- and heat-stable and oxidation-resistant of all the natural organic colorants and is even more stable than many synthetic food colors.
Cochineal is considered safe enough for cosmetic use in the eye area.
Cochineal is a deep, beautiful, lush red.
Cochineal can come in a variety of colors, from a near-scarlet to a deep purple, depending on how it is processed and the presence of any additives.
In paintings, cochineal was often used as a glaze, which allowed it to quietly hide in the background instead of dazzling the audience with its powerful color.
CARMINIC ACİD
Carminic acid (C22H20O13) is a red glucosidal hydroxyanthrapurin that occurs naturally in some scale insects, such as the cochineal, Armenian cochineal, and Polish cochineal.
The insects produce Carminic Acid as a deterrent to predators.
An aluminum salt of carminic acid is the coloring agent in carmine, a pigment.
Carminic Acid is a tetrahydroxyanthraquinone that is that is 1,3,4,6-tetrahydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone substituted by a methyl group at position 8, a carboxy group at position 7 and a 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol moiety at position 2 via a C-gly osidic linkage.
Carminic Acid is a natural dye isolated from several insects such as Dactylopius coccus.
Carminic Acid is a dark purplish-brown mass or bright red or dark red powder.
Carminic Acid is soluble in water.
Carminic acid is a natural anthraquinone glycoside responsible for the characteristic red color of cochineal-derived pigments.
Carminic Acid is extracted from the dried bodies of the female Dactylopius coccus insect.
As the principal chromophore in carmine, carminic acid has been widely used historically and continues to be important in modern applications where natural colorants are preferred over synthetic dyes.
Carminic acid appears as dark purplish-brown mass or bright red or dark red powder.
Carminic Acid has a role as an animal metabolite and a histological dye.
Carminic Acid is a C-glycosyl compound, a monocarboxylic acid and a tetrahydroxyanthraquinone.
Carminic Acid is a conjugate acid of a carminate(2-).
CARMINES
Carmines are a natural red dye obtained from the dried bodies of the female Dactylopius coccus insect.
Carmines have been used for centuries as a coloring agent in textiles, food, and cosmetics.
The primary coloring component of Carmines is carminic acid, which can be further processed to produce carmine pigments.
Unlike pure chemical substances, Carmines are a complex natural extract rather than a single defined compound.
Carmines are classified as a natural dye and are commonly labeled as E120 in the European Union.
Its composition variability distinguishes Carmines from pure compounds like carminic acid, making standardization an important factor in industrial use.
Carmines serve as the raw material for producing carmine pigments through complexation with metal ions such as aluminum or calcium.
This process significantly enhances color stability and expands Carmines's range of applications.
Carmine dye was used in the Americas for coloring fabrics and became an important export good in the 16th century during the colonial period.
Carmines are considered safe enough for cosmetic use in the eye area.
Because it has a complicated structure involving multiple chemical groups, it is very difficult to create a synthetic molecule for Carmines.
In 1991, Carmines was first synthesized in the laboratory by organic chemists.
Carmines, red dyestuff consisting of the dried, pulverized bodies of certain female scale insects, Dactylopius coccus, of the Coccidae family, cactus-eating insects native to tropical and subtropical America.
The insects are carefully brushed from the cacti into bags and are then killed by immersion in hot water or by exposure to sunlight, steam, or the heat of an oven.
Much of the variety in the appearance of commercial Carmines is caused by the differing modes of treatment.
USES and APPLICATIONS of COCHINEAL; CARMINIC ACİD; CARMINES:
In industrial applications, Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines are often selected not only for their natural origin but also for their superior performance compared to many plant-derived alternatives such as anthocyanins, which are more sensitive to pH and temperature fluctuations.
Despite this, process standardization is crucial because batch-to-batch variability can arise from differences in raw insect material and extraction conditions.
Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines are extensively used as natural colorants in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.
In food products, Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines are applied in beverages, dairy items, confectionery, sauces, and processed meats to achieve stable red coloration.
In cosmetics, Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines are widely used in lipsticks, blushes, and eye products due to their strong pigmentation and skin compatibility.
In pharmaceuticals, Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines serve as coloring agents in tablets, capsules, and syrups.
Additionally, Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines are used in textiles, inks, and biological staining.
Carminic acid is particularly important as an intermediate in producing more stable pigment forms (carmines).
Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines have been used for centuries and remain important in modern applications due to their natural origin and strong coloring properties.
COCHINEAL:
Cochineal is widely used as a natural colorant in the food industry, particularly in beverages, confectionery, dairy products, sauces, and processed meats.
Cochineal is favored in products requiring a natural label and stable red coloration under acidic conditions.
In cosmetics, cochineal is used in formulations such as lipsticks, blushes, and skincare products.
Cochineal is also utilized in pharmaceuticals as a coloring agent in syrups, tablets, and capsules.
Historically, cochineal has been used extensively in textile dyeing, producing vibrant and long-lasting red fabrics.
Cochineal is also used in artistic and biological staining applications.
Cochineal continues to be used as a fabric dye, a cosmetics dye and as a food coloring.
Cochineal is also used in histology as a preparatory stain for the examination of tissues and carbohydrates.
CARMINIC ACİD:
Main applications of Carminic Acid: meat products, beverages, liqueurs, candies, dairy products, juices, jellies, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, among others.
A red glucosidal hydroxyanthrapurin, Carminic Acid is produced naturally within some insects as a defense mechanism.
Carminic Acid is used for staining nuclei in histological sections.
Carminic Acid is used to prepare staining solutions.
Uses of Carminic Acid: antineoplastic, glucosyltransferase inhibitor
Cochineal insects use carminic acid to repel other insects.
But for centuries, cochineals have been valuable to humans for providing carminic acid to use on its own or to make cochineal dyes.
When carminic acid is treated with with aluminum and/or calcium salts, it forms complexes that are familiarly called carmine, carmine lake, crimson lake, or even the eponymous cochineal1.
Carminic Acid is used for textiles and as a US Food and Drug Administration–approved food, cosmetic, and drug colorant, although some people exhibit allergic reactions to it.
CARMINES:
Carmines are widely used as a natural colorant in the food industry, particularly in beverages, confectionery, dairy products, sauces, and processed meats.
Carmines are favored in products requiring a natural label and stable red coloration under acidic conditions.
In cosmetics, Carmines is used in formulations such as lipsticks, blushes, and skincare products.
Carmines are also utilized in pharmaceuticals as a coloring agent in syrups, tablets, and capsules.
Historically, Carmines have been used extensively in textile dyeing, producing vibrant and long-lasting red fabrics.
Carmines are also used in artistic and biological staining applications.
Carmines continues to be used as a fabric dye, a cosmetic dye, and as a food coloring.
Carmines are also used in histology as a preparatory stain for the examination of tissues and carbohydrates.
KEY DETAILS REGARDING COCHINEAL; CARMINIC ACID; CARMINES:
Source:
The insects are primarily farmed, with 80%–90% of global supply originating from Peru.
Usage:
Commonly used for shades of red, pink, and purple in yogurts, candies, juices, and sausages, as well as in lipsticks and hair products.
Identification: Listed as E120 in Europe, "carmine" or "cochineal extract" in the US.
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of COCHINEAL; CARMINIC ACİD; CARMINES:
Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines generally appear as red to dark purple powders, with the exact form depending on processing.
Cochineal is a heterogeneous mixture, carminic acid is a well-defined water-soluble compound, and carmines are insoluble metal complexes.
Carminic acid, the key chromophore, is an anthraquinone glycoside containing multiple hydroxyl groups, giving it polar and weakly acidic properties.
It is highly soluble in water and exhibits strong light absorption, producing intense red coloration.
Carmines, formed by complexation with metals such as aluminum or calcium, are insoluble but more stable to heat, light, and chemical conditions.
A key characteristic of all three forms is pH-dependent color behavior: they appear bright red in acidic environments and shift toward purple in alkaline conditions.
Stability is generally good under acidic conditions but decreases with prolonged exposure to UV light, oxygen, and high temperatures.
PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS of COCHINEAL; CARMINIC ACİD; CARMINES:
Cochineal-derived colorants are known for their high tinctorial strength, allowing effective coloration at low concentrations.
Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines provide a wide range of shades from orange-red to deep violet depending on formulation conditions.
Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines are biodegradable, derived from renewable sources, and compatible with many formulation systems.
Carmines, in particular, offer enhanced stability and reduced solubility, making them suitable for solid and long-lasting applications.
BENEFITS of COCHINEAL; CARMINIC ACİD; CARMINES:
The main advantages of Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines include their natural origin, strong and stable coloration, and wide regulatory acceptance.
Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines perform better than many plant-based red dyes, especially in acidic systems, and provide consistent and reproducible results.
Cochineal; Carminic Acid; Carmines's versatility allows use across multiple industries, and their effectiveness at low concentrations makes them economically attractive despite higher raw material costs.
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of COCHINEAL; CARMINIC ACİD; CARMINES:
Appearance: Red to dark purple powder (form-dependent)
Odor: Odorless or faint organic odor
Solubility:
Carminic acid: Highly soluble in water and ethanol
Cochineal: Partially water-soluble
Carmine: Insoluble in water, dispersible
Color: Bright red to deep violet depending on pH and composition
Particle form: granules, or pigment dispersion
Melting point: Decomposes before melting (~120–130°C for carminic acid)
Density: Not fixed (varies depending on form and processing)
Light stability: Moderate to good (improved in carmine form)
Heat stability: Moderate
Chemical class: Anthraquinone glycoside (carminic acid basis)
Core structure: Polyhydroxy anthraquinone with glucose moiety
pH sensitivity: Strong (color shifts from red → purple in alkaline conditions)
Acid-base behavior: Weakly acidic (phenolic OH groups)
Complex formation: Forms stable chelates with Al³⁺, Ca²⁺, and other metal ions
Oxidation sensitivity: Susceptible to oxidative degradation over time
Photostability: Limited under UV exposure (can degrade)
Reactivity: Interacts with proteins, metal ions, and salts
Stability range: Most stable in acidic to neutral pH
Decomposition: Occurs with heat, light, and strong oxidizing agents
COCHINEAL
Appearance: Dark red to deep brown powder or granular solid
Odor: Slight or characteristic
pH: ~4.5 – 7.0 (aqueous solution)
Melting point: Not applicable (decomposes)
Boiling point: Not applicable
Solubility:
Water: Partially soluble (red solution)
Organic solvents: Limited
Stability: Moderately stable; degrades under prolonged heat, UV, and oxidation
Color behavior: pH-dependent (orange-red → purple tones)
Composition: Complex natural mixture (mainly carminic acid + proteins, lipids, salts)
CAS No: 1390-65-4
EC No: 215-724-4
Molecular Weight: Not defined (mixture)
Molecular Formula: Not defined (UVCB substance)
CARMINIC ACID
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: Dark red crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless
Molecular nature: Anthraquinone glycoside
pH behavior: Strongly pH-dependent
Acidic: Orange/red
Neutral: Red
Alkaline: Violet/purple
Melting point: ~120–130 °C (decomposes)
Solubility:
Water: Slightly soluble (better in hot water)
Alcohol: Soluble
Stability:
Moderate heat stability
Sensitive to strong oxidizing agents
Reactivity: Weak acid; forms complexes with metal ions
CAS No: 1260-17-9
EC No: 215-023-3
Molecular Weight: 492.39 g/mol
Molecular Formula: C₂₂H₂₀O₁₃
CARMINES
Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance: Red to dark red powder (lake pigment)
Odor: Odorless
Nature: Metal complexes (mainly Al³⁺, sometimes Ca²⁺) of carminic acid
Solubility:
Water: Insoluble (pigment form)
Dispersible in media
pH stability: Stable between ~pH 4–10
Color: Intense, stable red
Thermal stability: Higher than carminic acid
Light stability: Improved vs. natural dyes but still limited vs. synthetics
Chemical behavior: Coordination complex (chelation)
CAS No: 1390-65-4 (commonly shared with cochineal in regulations)
EC No: 215-724-4
Molecular Weight: Not defined (complex mixture)
Molecular Formula: Not strictly defined (representative forms like C₄₄H₄₃AlCa₂O₃₀ exist but are not universal)
FIRST AID MEASURES of COCHINEAL; CARMINIC ACİD; CARMINES:
-Description of first-aid measures
*General advice:
Show this material safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
*If inhaled:
After inhalation:
Fresh air.
*In case of skin contact:
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
Rinse skin with
water/ shower.
*In case of eye contact:
After eye contact:
Rinse out with plenty of water.
Call in ophthalmologist.
Remove contact lenses.
*If swallowed:
After swallowing:
Immediately make victim drink water (two glasses at most).
Consult a physician.
-Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed.
No data available
ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES of COCHINEAL; CARMINIC ACİD; CARMINES:
-Environmental precautions:
Do not let product enter drains.
-Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Cover drains.
Collect, bind, and pump off spills.
Observe possible material restrictions.
Take up dry.
Dispose of properly.
Clean up affected area.
FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES of COCHINEAL; CARMINIC ACİD; CARMINES:
-Extinguishing media:
*Suitable extinguishing media:
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Foam
Dry powder
*Unsuitable extinguishing media:
For this substance/mixture no limitations of extinguishing agents are given.
-Further information:
Prevent fire extinguishing water from contaminating surface water or the ground water system.
EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION of COCHINEAL; CARMINIC ACİD; CARMINES:
-Control parameters:
--Ingredients with workplace control parameters:
-Exposure controls:
--Personal protective equipment:
*Eye/face protection:
Use equipment for eye protection.
Safety glasses
*Body Protection:
protective clothing
*Respiratory protection:
Recommended Filter type: Filter A
-Control of environmental exposure:
Do not let product enter drains.
HANDLING and STORAGE of COCHINEAL; CARMINIC ACİD; CARMINES:
-Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
*Storage conditions:
Tightly closed.
Dry.
STABILITY and REACTIVITY of COCHINEAL; CARMINIC ACİD; CARMINES:
-Chemical stability:
The product is chemically stable under standard ambient conditions (room temperature).
-Possibility of hazardous reactions:
No data available