Carmine CAS#1390-65-4
Natural Origin: Derived from Dactylopius coccus insects, Carmine is a natural colorant, making it a preferred choice for consumers seeking clean-label and non-synthetic ingredients.
High Stability: Carmine offers excellent stability to light, heat, and pH changes, ensuring long-lasting and vibrant color in various product formulations.
Rich Pigmentation: Its primary component, carminic acid, provides intense and vivid red hues, making it highly effective even at low concentrations.
Global Sourcing: The raw materials are sustainably sourced from regions like the Canary Islands and South America, supporting consistent supply and product availability.
Carmine is a lake pigment composed of aluminum or calcium-aluminum salts deposited on an aluminum hydroxide base, produced through aqueous extraction of dried female Dactylopius coccus Costa insects, which contain young larvae. The main sources of these raw materials are the Canary Islands and certain regions of South America. Its primary coloring component is carminic acid (C₂₂H₂₀O₁₃).
Carmine Chemical Properties
Melting point | 138–140℃ (darkens) |
Density | > 1.0 |
Bulk density | 290kg/m3 |
Vapor pressure | 0.02Pa at 90℃ |
FEMA | 2242 | CARMINE (COCCUS CACTI L.) |
Storage temp | Room temp |
Solubility | Ammonium hydroxide: soluble1mg/mL |
Form | |
Colour Index | 75470 |
Color | Red |
Odor | Odorless |
Water Solubility | Negligible |
λmax | 531nm, 563nm |
Merck | 14,1843 |
Stability | Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. |
Biological Applications | Drug delivery products; preventing coronary artery disease; cancer chemopreventive activity; lipid metabolism; treating Alzheimer’s disease; soaps; whitening teeth; in food products; pharmaceuticals; cosmetics; medical devices |
LogP | 0.97 |
Safety Information
Safety Statements | 22-24/25 |
WGK Germany | 2 |
RTECS | FH8891000 |
F | 3-8-10 |
HS Code | 3203 00 90 |
Carmine [CAS: 1390-65-4] refers to the aluminum lake of the red anthraquinone dye known as carminic acid, which is derived from the cochineal insect. The dye is extracted by treating powdered cochineal with hot water, followed by the addition of aluminum salts; ethanol is then used to precipitate the dye from the solution. This bright red, water-soluble pigment is commonly used to color shrimp, pork sausages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Notably, it is the only animal-based dye authorized for use as a colorant in food and related products.
