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Simple Summary: The domesticated carmine cochineal produces pigments used in food, cosmetics, and the textile industry. Its use dates to the pre-Hispanic period and thus is an Amerindian legacy. Cochineals grow and feed on the edible leaves of cacti. Since insects feed on plant sap, they may obtain their microbes from the plants and indeed we found here that some of the fungi in the insect guts are the same as those encountered in cacti. Fungi may help in digestion as they are capable of breaking down plant polymers in cultures and inside guts. We found fungi inside cochineals during microscopic examinations using different procedures to detect fungi. One of the isolated fungi produces a purple pigment that resembles the carminic acid. This study identified several potential functions of cochineal fungi and examined their plant origin. The cochineal insect Dactylopius coccus Costa (Hemiptera) has cultural and economic value because it produces carminic acid that is used commercially. In this study, distinct fungi were cultured from dissected tissue and identified as Penicillium, Coniochaeta, Arthrinium, Cladosporium, Microascus, Aspergillus, and Periconia. Fungi were microscopically observed inside cochineals in the gut, fat body, and ovaries. Since cochineals spend their lives attached to cactus leaves and use the sap as feed, they can obtain fungi from cacti plants. Indeed, we obtained Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium fungi from cacti that were identical to those inside cochineals, supporting their plant origin. Fungi could be responsible for the degrading activities in the insect guts, since cellulase, pectinase, and amylase enzymatic activities in insect guts decreased in fungicide-treated cochineals. Our findings set the basis for the further study of the interactions between insects, fungi, and their host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turkey is abundant in natural mineral water sources, thanks to its location on the Alpine-Himalayan belt. Natural mineral water is drinking water characterized by its natural mineral, trace elements, and carbon dioxide content. Because of quite insufficient data, the boron content in bottled natural mineral waters in Turkey was analyzed by three different methods and compared: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique, carminic acid, and azomethine-H methods, in this study. The boron levels in mineral waters ranged from a minimum of 0.05 mg/L to a maximum of 8.61 mg/L. It was also safe by the upper limit level estimated by the World Health Organisation. As boron plays a beneficial role in human physiology, consuming natural mineral water may offer a positive contribution to public health by supporting boron intake in our country. The other outcome of our research was that the spectrophotometric carminic acid method can yield results similar to those obtained using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique since the boron level of Turkish mineral water was within the limits level of the carminic acid method. However, the result of the azomethine-H method was found not to be suitable. Cross-sensitivity with other elements in mineral water might have caused this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wide variety of cosmetics was frequently colored using synthetic coloring agents. They were used despite being harmful due to their brightness and exceptional color clarity. Researchers' attention was drawn to recent experiments that substituted natural colorants with harmful ones. We describe how to include (Miss Current) essential oil (EO) into soap using a straight forward saponification process in this article. It is interesting that the essential oil we added made the soap colored. Carminic acid (CA) was the chemical ingredient in soap that produced the color. From EO, carminic acid was extracted as the sodium salt of carminic acid (NCA), and it was then identified using a variety of spectroscopic methods. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy was used to determine the functional groups in CA. Additionally, the presence of carminic acid (CA) was verified using spectroscopic methods using mass and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Additionally, the antibacterial effectiveness of soap with essential oils was assessed. Additionally, molecular docking studies were used to investigate the affinity of carminic acid (CA) for binding to keratin and alpha-amylase.

The cochineal insect Dactylopius coccus Costa (Hemiptera) has cultural and economic value because it produces carminic acid that is used commercially. In this study, distinct fungi were cultured from dissected tissue and identified as Penicillium, Coniochaeta, Arthrinium, Cladosporium, Microascus, Aspergillus, and Periconia. Fungi were microscopically observed inside cochineals in the gut, fat body, and ovaries. Since cochineals spend their lives attached to cactus leaves and use the sap as feed, they can obtain fungi from cacti plants. Indeed, we obtained Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium fungi from cacti that were identical to those inside cochineals, supporting their plant origin. Fungi could be responsible for the degrading activities in the insect guts, since cellulase, pectinase, and amylase enzymatic activities in insect guts decreased in fungicide-treated cochineals. Our findings set the basis for the further study of the interactions between insects, fungi, and their host plants.

This article describes two of the most common natural sources of red anthraquinones that have been used since antiquity for textile dyeing and as lake pigments, namely cochineal insect and the roots of Rubia and Relbunium plants. Carminic acid is the main component of carmine, the red colorant obtained from cochineal. Alizarin and purpurin are found in the extracts of Rubia roots, but Relbunium roots contain only purpurin. These red anthraquinones have been identified in a variety of cultural heritage objects. High performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) is described as the most suitable analytical technique for the identification of these dyestuffs, particularly in micro-samples from textiles or pigment layers in paintings and polychrome sculptures. Finally, application of HPLC-DAD analysis to the identification of lake pigments in micro-samples of mural paintings of two eighteenth century Andean churches in Peru is described.

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Considering the great importance of nanocomposite based photo-active nanomaterials for a variety of electronics, photonics and photovoltaics application, it is always worth considering to synthesize new hetreostructure. This paper describes the sol-gel and hydrothermal synthesis of metal (holmium, barium, and cadmium) doped TiO 2 /CdS nanocomposites for photoanode applications. Various characterization techniques, including XRD, FTIR, UV–VIS, EDX, and SEM were used to examine the synthesized heterostructures. The band gap of pure TiO 2 NPs is 3.10 eV, which was effectively decreased to 2.16 eV by doping and coupling with CdS. The nanomaterial's crystallinity, crystallite size, morphology and elemental composition were determined by XRD, SEM and EDX, respectively. As sensitizers, the organic dyes dithizone, carminic acid, and pyrocatechol violet were used. FTIR was used to analyze the effective dye grafting on the surface of nanomaterials. In the presence of hole conducting P3HT polymer as solid state electrolyte, the sensitized materials were evaluated for solid state dye-sensitized solar cells. Compared to the reference device, Cd–TiO 2 /CdS photosensitized using Pyrocatechol violet dye demonstrated the highest efficiency of 2.68% (0.82%). Other parameters of this device, including open circuit voltage (Voc) and short circuit current (Jsc), were determined to be 16.97 mA cm2 and 0.41V, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the re‐evaluation of the safety and efficacy of carmine (sensory additive, functional group: colourants – substances that add or restore colour in feeds) for cats and dogs. The additive consists of aluminium lakes of carminic acid (carmines), which are complexes of aluminium and carminic acid. Carminic acid, produced from the female insect Dactylopius coccus Costa, is the colouring principle and is present in the final additive at 50%. The additive does not pose a risk concerning genotoxicity and is considered safe for dogs and cats at 264 and 220 mg Carmine/kg feed, respectively (which correspond to 132 and 110 mg carminic acid/kg feed, respectively). Due to the nature of the additive, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that allergic reactions may occur in the target species following the ingestion of feeds containing the additive. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the exposure of users by inhalation is very likely, and that carmine is a respiratory and skin sensitiser; however, due to the lack of data, a conclusion cannot be reached on the potential skin and eye irritation of the additive. The additive is considered to be efficacious in feeds for dogs and cats under the proposed conditions of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the re‐evaluation of the safety and efficacy of carmine (sensory additive, functional group: colourants – substances that add or restore colour in feeds) for cats and dogs. The additive consists of aluminium lakes of carminic acid (carmines), which are complexes of aluminium and carminic acid. Carminic acid, produced from the female insect Dactylopius coccus Costa, is the colouring principle and is present in the final additive at 50%. The additive does not pose a risk concerning genotoxicity and is considered safe for dogs and cats at 264 and 220 mg Carmine/kg feed, respectively (which correspond to 132 and 110 mg carminic acid/kg feed, respectively). Due to the nature of the additive, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that allergic reactions may occur in the target species following the ingestion of feeds containing the additive. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the exposure of users by inhalation is very likely, and that carmine is a respiratory and skin sensitiser; however, due to the lack of data, a conclusion cannot be reached on the potential skin and eye irritation of the additive. The additive is considered to be efficacious in feeds for dogs and cats under the proposed conditions of use.

The revival of natural dyes in textiles is gaining popularity due to their sustainable nature. The current study has been undertaken to improve the dyeing behaviors of cochineal-based natural dye (carminic acid) for wool dyeing under the influence of microwave treatment. For the purpose, wool fabric and extract obtained from cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus costa) were irradiated for 1–6 min. The nature of dye bath (pH) and dyeing temperature were optimized using optimal irradiation conditions. To make dyeing process more sustainable and eco-friendly, bio-mordants and chemical mordants have been employed at optimal conditions. It is found that microwave treatment of extraction for 5 min is suitable to get darker shades with acceptable color characteristics using unirradiated wool fabric. K/S was found using acidic dye bath of cochineal insect of pH 1 for dyeing unirradiated fabric at 70°C using acidic extract of Cochineal bugs. Suggested ISO standards for color fastness revealed that 5% of henna and 3% pomegranate as bio-mordant have not only given high color depth but also rated excellent fastness properties as compared to chemical mordants used. It is found that MW treatment has not only improved the dyeing behavior of carminic acid but also enhanced the color characteristics.

This work concerns the study of colors and dyes identified on archaeological textiles from the Atacama Desert. The different garments and ornaments come from the excavation of two important pre-Columbian cemeteries of the Tarapacá region: Tarapacá-40 attributed to the Formative period (1100 BC–660 AD) and Pica-8 to the Late Intermediate period (900–1450 AD). For the first time, a multi-analytical approach with non-invasive techniques using FORS and SERS was applied on samples of less than 2 cm of length for physicochemical characterization of the raw materials and the dyes employed in the textile production of northern Chile. The fibers are from animal origin. Blue, green, and yellow are identified as indigo, but we cannot discard a mixture with other dyes to vary hue and shade; while carminic acid and alizarin—to a lesser extent—are found on red, orange, and brown samples. This research provides new elements for the discussion about the textile technology developed in this desertic region, its changes, and continuities along the history. Our results are compared to recent findings on neighboring regions from South-Central Andes, to improve the current knowledge and discuss the existence of dyeing textile cultural traditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three foodstuffs (surimi, minced meat, and milk) were dyed with carminic acid and carminic aluminum lake. The effects of protein, metal ions, and food additives on the color of carminic acid and carminic aluminum lake were investigated. After being dyed by carminic acid, the colors of surimi, minced meat, and milk were light purple, red, and gray‐green, respectively. When using carminic aluminum lake, surimi and milk were magenta, and minced meat was red. Regarding the carminic acid solution, the presence of myofibrillar protein (MFP), whey protein isolate (WPI), and soy protein isolate (SPI) turned it red by changing the pH, while the presence of casein made it orange. The carminic aluminum lake solution turned magenta in all four cases, which were not affected by protein. The color of carminic acid and carminic aluminum lake was significantly affected by 0.001–0.1 mol/L Fe3+, 0.001–0.1 mol/L Fe2+, 0.001–0.1 mol/L Cu2+, and 0.1 mol/L Ca2+, limiting their application in iron‐, copper‐, and high‐calcium foods. The color of carminic acid was changed to yellow by 0.01%‐1% sodium nitrite, but 0.01%–1% ascorbic acid and 0.01%–0.1% monascus color did not significantly affect the color of either carminic acid or carminic aluminum lake. This paper provides a reference for the application of carminic acid and carminic aluminum lake in food science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Andean church of San Andrés de Pachama is located in the highland of the northernmost of Chile, near the limit with Bolivia and next to the Ruta de la Plata. This commercial route contributed in the past to the transport and commerce of various raw materials, such as silver, from the Andean mountains region to the Pacific Ocean coast and then to the European market. The walls inside the church are decorated with paintings from the end of the eighteenth century that reproduce religious motivs together with flowers, fruits, and birds. In this study, micro samples taken from one of the mural paintings have been analysed to acquire information on the artistic materials and the painting technique previous to the restoration of the paintings. Analysis by micro-Raman spectroscopy complemented with scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection allowed the identification of orpiment, vermilion, indigo, smalt, antlerite, hematite, carmine lake, and wood charcoal as pigments as well as gypsum as the ground layer. Lipidic and proteinaceous materials extracted from the microsamples were identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and indicated the use of a mixture of egg and siccative oil as binders and a secco painting technique involving animal glue as the plaster primer. Smalt and the prized cochineal lake are reported for the first time in an Andean colonial mural painting.

Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementias are progressive neurodegenerative diseases accompanied by dementia and a wide array of symptoms such as bradykinesia, rigidity and postural instability. The hallmark of the disease is alpha synuclein aggregation, leading to the formation of Lewy. In this paper we investigate, using various in silico tools, the potential antiaggregation effects of anthraquinone derivatives carminic, kermesic and laccaic acid and their potential future use as lead compounds for clinical applications. To this end, we employed a combination of predictors used for properties like absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME), drug-likeness and lead-likeness. Additionally, we used a molecular docking to estimate the binding affinities of the three compounds to alpha synuclein. Our predictions indicate kermesic acid as the compound having the greatest therapeutical potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between the weight, size, and age of the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) on the amount of dry mealybug (Dactylopius coccus costa) and its content of carminic acid (CA) under conditions greenhouse. 50 cladodes of O. ficus-indica of different ages were used, which were divided according to their age: young (4 months), mature (6 months) and old (≥ 8 months). The information collected was analyzed through the methodology of generalized linear models and the differences between the ages of the cladodes were performed using least squares means at α = 0.05. In addition, the Pearson correlation (between continuous variables) and the Hays (ω2) (between nominal variables and continuous variables) with hypothesis test at α = 0.05 were used to establish the associations between the morphology (r), classification (age) of the cladode (ω2) with the production of mealybug and the AC content. It was found that the age of the cladode affected (P < 0.001) the production of the insect (measured in dry weight) but did not affect (P > 0.05) the AC content, which was 18.7 to 19.3 %. Cladode weight and thickness were negatively correlated with AC content: r = -0.19 (P < 0.05) and -0.21 (P < 0.05), respectively. While the length and width of the cladode were not correlated (P > 0.05) with the AC content. For a greenhouse production system of D. coccus costa, it is recommended to use cladodes from 4 months of age, although at this age a lower production of mealybug is expected; but, AC content similar to that produced in a cladode classified as mature or old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a current trend of fabricating healthier products, food manufacturing companies seek for natural-based food colorant aiming to replace the synthetic ones, which apart from meeting sensorial and organoleptic aspects, they can also act as health promoters offering additional added value. Carminic acid is a natural based food colorant typically found in several insect taxa. However, there are current approaches which pursue the production of this natural pigment via biotechnological synthesis. To date, this colorant has been intensively applied in the manufacture of several food items. Unfortunately, one of the main limitations deals with the establishment of the right protocol of extraction and purification of this component since there is no report analyzing the main extraction techniques for obtaining carminic acid. Therefore, this review, for the first time, comprehensively analyzes the ongoing strategies and protocols proposed by scientists towards either extraction or purification of carminic acid from its origin source, and from biotechnological systems. Emphasis has been focused on the main findings dealing with extraction techniques and the relevant insights in the field. A detailed discussion is provided on the advantages and drawbacks of the reported extraction and purification methods, main solvents used and their key interactions with target molecules. [Display omitted] • Current strategies for extracting carminic acid are declared. • Innovative purification techniques towards carminic acid are reviewed. • The guidelines to the new scientists for the effective extraction are stated. • Introduction of carminic acid production via biotechnology is elucidated. • The current research gaps and perspectives are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Color change in artworks has been commented on for centuries. Fading of watercolor pigments is a notable alteration. Pigments based on carminic acid are among those particularly prone to color loss, but the mechanism and factors are not well understood. Results We painted out three pigments prepared from the aqueous extract of carminic acid (CA) from Dactylopius coccus: the uncomplexed, and aluminium- and tin-complexed lakes. These were applied in a 2% gum Arabic solution to papers that were acidic, neutral or alkaline pH and exposed to accelerated light aging in a weatherometer. The comparative rate of fading was dependent on the complexation and on the pH of the substrate. On alkaline paper, the Al complex was least light stable, on neutral paper the three colorants responded similarly, and on acidic paper the tin complex was the least light stable. This is discussed in light of the published information on reactions and mechanism of color loss of CA. Graphical abstract Cochineal-based pigments fade on exposure to light. In watercolor paints, the rate depends not only on the complexation of the ligand but also the pH of the paper substrate

A facile synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and methionine film modified screen printed carbon electrode (rGO-methionine/SPCE) was proposed as a disposable sensor for determination of food colorants including amaranth, tartrazine, sunset yellow, and carminic acid. The fabrication process can be achieved in only 2 steps including drop-casting of rGO and electropolymerization of poly(L-methionine) film on SPCE. Surface morphology of modified electrode was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This work showed a successfully developed novel disposable sensor for detection of all 4 dyes as food colorants. The electrochemical behavior of all 4 food colorants were investigated on modified electrodes. The rGO-methionine/SPCE significantly enhanced catalytic activity of all 4 dyes. The pH value and accumulation time were optimized to obtain optimal condition of each colorant. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was used for determination, and two linear detection ranges were observed for each dye. Linear detection ranges were found from 1 to 10 and 10 to 100 µM for amaranth, 1 to 10 and 10 to 85 µM for tartrazine, 1 to 10 and 10 to 50 µM for sunset yellow, and 1 to 20 and 20 to 60 µM for carminic acid. The limit of detection (LOD) was calculated at 57, 41, 48, and 36 nM for amaranth, tartrazine, sunset yellow, and carminic acid, respectively. In addition, the modified sensor also demonstrated high tolerance to interference substances, good repeatability, and high performance for real sample analysis.

A simple and rapid distance paper-based analytical device (dPAD) for the detection of lead (Pb) in foods is proposed herein. The assay principle is based on competitive binding between carminic acid (CA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) to Pb in a food sample. The paper channels were pre-immobilized with PEI, before reacting with a mixture of the sample and CA. Pb can strongly bind to the CA; hence, the length of the red color deposition on the flow channel decreased as a lower amount of free CA bound to PEI. The dPAD exhibited good linear correlation, with ranges of 5–100 µg·mL−1 (R2 = 0.974) of Pb. Although, the limit of detection (LOD) of this platform was rather high, at 12.3 µg·mL−1, a series of standard additions (8.0, 9.0, and 10.0 µg·mL−1) can be used to interpret the cutoff of Pb concentrations at higher or lower than 2 µg·mL−1. The presence of common metal ions such as calcium, magnesium, nickel, and zinc did not interfere with the color distance readout. The validity of the developed dPAD was demonstrated by its applicability to screen the contamination of Pb in century egg samples. The results obtained from the dPAD are in accordance with the concentration measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) (n = 9). In conclusion, this proposed dPAD, combined with the standard addition method, could be applied for screening Pb contamination in food matrices. This platform is, therefore, potentially applicable for field measurements of Pb in developing countries, because it is cheap and rapid, and it requires no significant laborious instruments.

This paper presents a novel miniaturized analytical method for the determination of carminic acid, a natural red food dye, in complex food and pharmaceutical matrices by microchip electrophoresis (MCE) with photometric detection. MCE has become a very attractive microscale separation technique because it offers high-speed, high-throughput, small sample injection volume and low reagents consumption. Fast determination of carminic acid in less than 5 min was achieved on a poly(methyl methacrylate) microchip in anionic separation mode at pH 6. Photometric detector based on light-emitting diode technology was set to a wavelength of 490 nm. Using a sample injection volume of 900 nL, a limit of detection of 69 nmol L−1 was achieved. A wide linear dynamic range over four orders of magnitude (from nmol L−1 to mmol L−1) was observed for peak area. Developed method provided favorable intra- and inter-day repeatability of the migration time (up to 2.5% RSD), as well as the repeatability of the peak area (less than 1.9% RSD), regardless of the sample type. The content of carminic acid was determined in various foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals, such as candies, saffron, non-alcoholic drink, and sore throat lozenges with good recoveries (92.5–104.0%).

The incorporation of pigments and natural polyphenols into inorganic matrices, resulting in a hybrid material that improves the resistance and chemical stability of the pigments and the antioxidant capacity of the materials, has been of great interest to the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries. The aim of this work was to prepare and characterize a bifunctional pigment–antioxidant nanomaterial-based carminic acid-decorated solid core-mesoporous shell silica nanoparticles, evaluating its properties as a pigment, its antioxidant capacity and its properties as a chemical stabilizer of emulsions. The chemical stability of oil-in-water (O/W) Pickering emulsions was evaluated determining the stability of vitamin E solubilized in the oil phase. Carminic acid was attached through the action of coupling ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) agents, and the resulting spherical and homogeneous nanoparticles showed a diameter close to 175 nm. A notorious change of emulsion color was observed by the addition of the nanomaterial. Emulsions showed an attractive pink color, and when the pH was adjusted to pH 3 and pH 9, a change in color was observed, analogous to carminic acid in solution. The nanomaterial incorporation also improved chemical stability, decreasing vitamin E consumption to 9.26% of the initial value, demonstrating an important antioxidant effect of the developed nanomaterial.

Carminic acid, a natural hydrophilic dye extensively used in the food and cosmetic industries, is converted in hydrophobic dyes by acetylation or pivaloylation. These derivatives are successfully used as biocolourants for rubber objects. In this paper, spectroscopic properties of the carminic acid derivatives in dimethyl sulfoxide and in polybutylacrylate are studied by means of photoluminescence and time-resolved photoluminescence decays, revealing a hypsochromic effect due to the presence of bulky substituents as the acetyl or pivaloyl groups. Molecular mechanics and density functional theory calculations confirm the disruption of planarity between the sugar ring and the anthraquinoid system determined by the esterification.

Abstract Background Cochineal dye is used worldwide as a red coloring in foods, drinks, cosmetics, quasi-drugs, and drugs. The main component of the red color is carminic acid (CA). Carmine is an aluminum- or calcium-chelated product of CA. CA and carmine usually contain contaminating proteins, including a 38-kDa protein thought to be the primary allergen. Severe allergic reactions manifest as anaphylaxis. The aim of this study was to review all Japanese reported cases and propose useful diagnostic chart. Methods All reported Japanese cases of cochineal dye-induced immediate allergy were reviewed, and newly registered cases were examined by skin prick test (SPT) with cochineal extract (CE) and measurement of CE and carmine-specific serum IgE test. Two-dimensional (2D) western blotting using patient serum was conducted to identify the antigen. Results Twenty-two Japanese cases have been reported. SPT and the level of specific IgE test indicated that six cases should be newly registered as cochineal dye allergy. All cases were adult females, and all cases except three involved anaphylaxis; 13 cases involved past history of local symptoms associated with cosmetics use. Japanese strawberry juice and fish-meat sausage, and European processed foods (especially macarons made in France) and drinks were recent major sources of allergen. 2D western blotting showed that patient IgE reacted to the 38-kDa protein and other proteins. Serum from healthy controls also weakly reacted with these proteins. Conclusions SPT with CE and determination of the level of CE and carmine-specific IgE test are useful methods for the diagnosis of cochineal dye allergy. Graphical abstract Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, hybrid pigments based on carminic acid (CA) were synthesized and applied in polymer materials. Modification of aluminum-magnesium hydroxycarbonate (LH) with CA transformed the soluble chromophore into an organic-inorganic hybrid colorant. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-Vis spectroscopy were used to study the structure, composition, and morphology of the insoluble LH/CA colorant. Successful modification of the LH was confirmed by the presence of interactions between the LH matrix and molecules of CA. XPS analysis corroborated the presence of CA complexes with Mg2+ ions in the LH host. The batochromic shift in UV-Vis spectra of the organic-inorganic hybrid colorant was attributed to metal-dye interactions in the organic-inorganic hybrid colorants. Strong metal-dye interactions may also be responsible for the improved solvent resistance and chromostability of the modified LH. In comparison to uncolored ethylene-norbornene copolymer (EN), a modified EN sample containing LH/CA pigment showed lower heat release rate (HRR) and reduced total heat release (THR), providing the material with enhanced flame retardancy.

Background: Color change in artworks has been commented on for centuries. Fading of watercolor pigments is a notable alteration. Pigments based on carminic acid are among those particularly prone to color loss, but the mechanism and factors are not well understood. Results: We painted out three pigments prepared from the aqueous extract of carminic acid (CA) from Dactylopius coccus: the uncomplexed, and aluminium- and tin-complexed lakes. These were applied in a 2% gum Arabic solution to papers that were acidic, neutral or alkaline pH and exposed to accelerated light aging in a weatherometer. The comparative rate of fading was dependent on the complexation and on the pH of the substrate. On alkaline paper, the Al complex was least light stable, on neutral paper the three colorants responded similarly, and on acidic paper the tin complex was the least light stable. This is discussed in light of the published information on reactions and mechanism of color loss of CA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Cochineal, carminic acid, carmines (E 120) have been previously evaluated by JECFA and by the SCF. Both committees established an ADI of 5 mg/kg bw/day. The Panel noted that the title of the EC specifications for E 120 does not adequately correspond to the specified food additive and therefore, proposes to modify it to “E 120 cochineal extract, carminic acid and carmines”, which would more accurately reflect the material used. The Panel also noted that the specifications need to be updated with regard to the maximum limits for certain toxic elements present as impurities, to ensure that E 120 will not be a significant source of exposure to these toxic elements in food. No ADME studies on cochineal extract, carminic acid or carmines were available for evaluation, but indirect evidence suggests that carmines are absorbed and distributed in the body. Acute, short‐term, subchronic, carcinogenicity, reproduction and developmental toxicity studies conducted in rats or mice did not show toxicological potential. Consideration of the available information regarding genotoxicity indicated that carminic acid is not genotoxic. The Panel concluded that the present dataset does not give reason to revise the ADI of 5 mg carmine (containing approximately 50 % carminic acid)/kg bw, allocated by the SCF in 1983. The Panel concluded that this ADI should be expressed as carminic acid content, which would correspond to 2.5 mg carminic acid/kg bw/day. The Panel considered that, since no threshold dose can be established for allergic reactions, it is advisable that exposure to the eliciting allergens, such as proteinaceous compounds, in E 120 is avoided by introducing appropriate purification steps in the manufacturing process. Refined exposure estimates show that exposure to E 120 for the non‐brand‐loyal scenario, is below the ADI of 2.5 mg carminic acid/kg bw/day for all population groups.

In a weak acidic Britton–Robinson (B–R) buffer of pH 4.0, human serum albumin (HSA) can react rapidly with carminic acid (CAA) to form a supramolecular complex. Microelectrostatic fields in the molecular structure of HSA cause the electrostatic binding reaction of the positively charged CAA with the negatively charged HSA. CAAhas a sensitive, second order derivative linear sweep voltammetric reductive peak at – 0.54 V (vs. SCE) on a dropping mercury electrode (DME). After the addition of HSA to a CAAsolution, the reductive peak current of CAAdecreased without a shift of the peak potential. Based on the decrease of the peak current, a sensitive voltammetric method for the determination of microamounts of the protein is proposed. The conditions for the binding reaction and the voltammetric detection were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the decrease of the voltammetric detection were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the decrease of the voltammetric peak current was in proportion to the quantity of HSA in the range of 2.0 to 70.0 mg l-1, with a linear regression equation DIp”(nA) = 11.74 C (mg l-1)–12.33 and a detection limit of 2.0 mg l-1 (3s). The method was further applied to the detection of different kinds of proteins, such as bovine serum albumin (BSA), oval albunim (OVA), lipase, etc. The established method was further applied to the determination of the albumin content in human serum samples and the results obtained by this method were in good agreement with the traditional Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 (CBB G-250) spectrophotometric method. The binding mechanism is discussed and the binding ratio was calculated from the voltammetric data.

In a weak acidic Britton-Robinson (B-R) buffer of pH 4.0, human serum albumin (HSA) can react rapidly with carminic acid (CAA) to form a supramolecular complex. Microelectrostatic fields in the molecular structure of HSA cause the electrostatic binding reaction of the positively charged CAA with the negatively charged HSA. CAA has a sensitive, second order derivative linear sweep voltammetric reductive peak at - 0.54 V (vs. SCE) on a dropping mercury electrode (DME). After the addition of HSA to a CAA solution, the reductive peak current of CAA decreased without a shift of the peak potential. Based on the decrease of the peak current, a sensitive voltammetric method for the determination of microamounts of the protein is proposed. The conditions for the binding reaction and the voltammetric detection were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the decrease of the voltammetric detection were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the decrease of the voltammetric peak current was in proportion to the quantity of HSA in the range of 2.0 to 70.0 mg l-1, with a linear regression equation ΔIp"(nA)=11.74 C (mg l-1)-12.33 and a detection limit of 2.0 mg l-1 (3σ). The method was further applied to the detection of different kinds of proteins, such as bovine serum albumin (BSA), oval albunim (OVA), lipase, etc. The established method was further applied to the determination of the albumin content in human serum samples and the results obtained by this method were in good agreement with the traditional Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 (CBB G-250) spectrophotometric method. The binding mechanism is discussed and the binding ratio was calculated from the voltammetric data.

The effects of acetone and acetonitrile on the kinetic parameters of azorubin S oxidation by hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by manganese(II), pyrocatechol violet oxidation by hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by copper(II), and carminic acid oxidation by hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by copper(II) and activated by bifenox, were examined. It was established that the examined solvents exhibit various effects on the kinetic parameters of the above said reactions. In a11 instances a change in the solvent concentration effects both the anthalpy and the entropy contributions to the free activation energy during the transition of the system into the active state, as well as the constant of the active complex formed at this point.

The effects of acetone and acetonitrile on the kinetic parameters of azorubin S oxidation by hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by manganese(II), pyrocatechol violet oxidation by hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by copper(II), and carminic acid oxidation by hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by copper(II) and activated by bifenox, were examined. It was established that the examined solvents exhibit various effects on the kinetic parameters of the above said reactions. In all instances a change in the solvent concentration affects both the enthalpy and the entropy contributions to the free activation energy during the transition of the system into the active state, as well as the constant of the active complex formed at this point.

A bstract Cochineal, carminic acid, carmines (E 120) have been previously evaluated by JECFA and by the SCF. Both committees established an ADI of 5 mg/kg bw/day. The Panel noted that the title of the EC specifications for E 120 does not adequately correspond to the specified food additive and therefore, proposes to modify it to 'E 120 cochineal extract, carminic acid and carmines', which would more accurately reflect the material used. The Panel also noted that the specifications need to be updated with regard to the maximum limits for certain toxic elements present as impurities, to ensure that E 120 will not be a significant source of exposure to these toxic elements in food. No ADME studies on cochineal extract, carminic acid or carmines were available for evaluation, but indirect evidence suggests that carmines are absorbed and distributed in the body. Acute, short-term, subchronic, carcinogenicity, reproduction and developmental toxicity studies conducted in rats or mice did not show toxicological potential. Consideration of the available information regarding genotoxicity indicated that carminic acid is not genotoxic. The Panel concluded that the present dataset does not give reason to revise the ADI of 5 mg carmine (containing approximately 50 % carminic acid)/kg bw, allocated by the SCF in 1983. The Panel concluded that this ADI should be expressed as carminic acid content, which would correspond to 2.5 mg carminic acid/kg bw/day. The Panel considered that, since no threshold dose can be established for allergic reactions, it is advisable that exposure to the eliciting allergens, such as proteinaceous compounds, in E 120 is avoided by introducing appropriate purification steps in the manufacturing process. Refined exposure estimates show that exposure to E 120 for the non-brand-loyal scenario, is below the ADI of 2.5 mg carminic acid/kg bw/day for all population groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report for the first time charge-transfer complex formation at the interface of carminic acid and cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles. The complex formation was confirmed by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Cadmium sulfide nanoparticles were synthesized by the wet chemical method and characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Carminic acid, in different concentrations, was chemisorbed on the surface of CdS nanoparticles. Grafting of carminic acid on CdS was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Energy levels of the highest occupied molecular orbitals and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (LUMO) of both carminic acid and CdS nanoparticles matched well for the injection of electron from LUMO of carminic acid to the conduction band of cadmium sulfide. The photoactive nanohybrid material was used in dye-sensitized solar cells. The efficiency of carminic acid functionalized CdS nanoparticles was found to be double the value obtained for the reference device and remained constant over a certain concentration range owing to the complex formation at the interface. However, raising the concentration of carminic acid beyond 2.5 × 10 M resulted in a decrease in efficiency. This was ascribed to charge recombination due to the presence of ungrafted carminic acid molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]