Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site kitty.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!sunybcs!kitty!larry From: larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman) Newsgroups: net.bizarre Subject: Bizarre Chemicals in Our Daily Lives Message-ID: <283@kitty.UUCP> Date: Thu, 8-Aug-85 22:03:02 EDT Article-I.D.: kitty.283 Posted: Thu Aug 8 22:03:02 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 9-Aug-85 04:46:44 EDT Distribution: net Organization: Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, NY Lines: 42 BIZARRE CHEMICALS IN OUR DAILY LIVES: Today's Topic: Cochineal Cochineal is used as a red dye in food products, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Cochineal is an FDA-accepted ingredient, and is properly listed in the "National Formulary". Cochineal is made exclusively from the dried female insect, Coccus cacti L., which are found and cultivated in Mexico, Central America, West Indies, Canary Islands, Algiers, and Southern Spain. There are approximately 70,000 insects per pound of cochineal. The "National Formulary" describes powdered cochineal as follows: "Powdered cochineal is very dusky to very dark red. It contains fragments of muscle fibers; portions of the chitinous epidermis with wax glands; fragments of larvae with coiled proboscides; occasional claws and segments of the legs; and fragments of antennae and other parts..." Chemically, cochineal consists of 10% carminic acid, 2% coccerin (a waxy material), 10% fat, and the balance miscellaneous. The carminic acid provides the color. Cochineal, NF is nothing more than the ground insects with no purification or chemical extraction. Testing for purity consists of nothing more than an inspection for the presence of gross contaminents, and a acid/base test for color change. An interesting bit of trivia is that during American Revolutionary times, the British Army "Redcoat" uniforms were all colored with cochineal. The British continued to use cochineal for dyeing their uniforms until well into the 1800's when azo dyes came into use. Next time you ingest candy, toothpaste, food products, medications or use toiletries which colored red or pink, check the package label to see if it contains cochineal. Don't be disappointed if you don't see it labeled - it could still be there since explicit labeling is not required as long as it says 'dye' or 'coloring agent'. Let's start "The Great Cochineal Hunt" and have feedback from anyone who sees cochineal on package labels! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ | Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, New York | | UUCP {decvax,dual,rocksanne,rocksvax,watmath}!sunybcs!kitty!larry | | {rice,shell}!baylor!/ | | VOICE 716/741-9185 syr!buf!/ | | TELEX {via WUI} 69-71461 ansbak: ELGECOMCLR | | | | "Have you eaten your cochineal today?" | +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++