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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!

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|	Larry Lippman @ Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, New York        |
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|	"Have you eaten your cochineal today?"				      |
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