Cochineal Carmine

What’s Cochineal Carmine？

Cochineal Carmine is an organic compound with the molecular formula C22H20O13, a natural pigment extracted from female cochineal insects growing in different regions and on different types of cacti, with a pink to purple-red hue. It is used as a natural pigment in the production of food, cosmetics, and textiles.

Application field

In the food industry: It can be used for coloring candies, beverages, meat products, baked goods, jams, jellies, etc., adding bright colors to food and attracting consumers. For example, the maximum usage amount in blended condensed milk is 0.15, and in prepared wine, it is 0.25, etc.

Cosmetics field: Commonly found in lipsticks, foundations, eye shadows, eyeliner creams, nail polishes and baby products, etc., it can provide natural and long-lasting colors.

In the field of medicine: As a colorant and coating material for tablet and capsule shells, it helps in the identification and differentiation of drugs.

Other fields: It can also be used as a pigment and indicator, and as a reagent for microscopic analysis, fluorescence analysis, etc. It can also be used for dyeing silk and wool.