Cochineal Powder

1. Particulars :

Cochineal powder is an organic compound, which is a natural pigment extracted from female cochineal growing in different areas and types of cactus. Its color is pink to purple. As a natural pigment, it is used in the production of food, cosmetics, medicines and textiles.

2. Function and efficacy :

Cochineal powder can be used for coloring food, medicine and cosmetics, especially mouthwash, tooth powder, dusting powder and ointment. When it is used for coloring solid powder dosage forms, it is advisable to dissolve it in a small amount of concentrated ammonia solution, then add it to the powder, and grind it for a long time in order to obtain the best color with uniform distribution. Silk and wool can be dyed bright red by mordant dyeing with aluminum salt or tin salt. It can be used as pigment of food and cosmetics, indicator for titration of ammonia solution, and reagent for microscopic analysis and fluorescence analysis.

Cosmetics

It can be used for lipstick, foundation, eye shadow, eyeliner, nail polish and baby products.

Medicine

Cochineal powder is used in pharmaceutical industry as coating material for tablets and pellets and as colorant for capsule shell.

Food

Cochineal powder can also be used for coloring foods such as candy, drinks and meat products.

Treat

Besides its coloring function, the red pigment of cochineal powder has obvious effect on preventing DNA damage caused by carcinogens, and can be used for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases (such as vesicular stomatitis, herpetic stomatitis, etc.), cancer and AIDS.