cochineal

cochineal

cochineal , natural dye obtained from an extract of the bodies of the females of the cochineal bug ( Dactylopius confusus ) found on certain species of cactus, especially Nopalea coccinellifera, native to Mexico and Central America. The insects' bodies contain the pigment called carminic acid, which is obtained by subjecting a mass of the crushed insects to steam or dry heat; such large numbers of the insects are needed to produce a small amount of dye that the cost is high. Once commonly used as a scarlet-red mordant dye for wool and as a food color, cochineal has been largely replaced by synthetic products. It is used chiefly now as a biological stain.

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"cochineal." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"cochineal." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-cochinea.html

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cochineal

cochineal A water‐soluble red colour obtained from the female conchilla, Dactilopius coccus (Coccus cactus), an insect found in central America, and the Caribbean; 1 kg of the colour is obtained from about 150 000 insects. Legally permitted in foods in most countries. Contains carminic acid. Cochineal red A is an alternative name for Ponceau 4R, often used to replace cochineal.

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DAVID A. BENDER. "cochineal." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAVID A. BENDER. "cochineal." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-cochineal.html

DAVID A. BENDER. "cochineal." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-cochineal.html

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cochineal

cochineal A dye (cochinealin or carminic acid, C22H20O13) plus a wax and a fat, all three of which have commercial uses, obtained from the dried bodies of female Dactylopius coccus (family Coccidae), hemipteran insects which feed on cacti, are native to Mexico and Peru, and are cultivated in parts of Central America, southern Europe, and N. Africa.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "cochineal." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "cochineal." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-cochineal.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "cochineal." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-cochineal.html

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cochineal

cochineal dye-stuff consisting of the dried bodies of a S. American insect, which was at first supposed to be a berry. XVI. — F. cochenille or Sp. cochinilla, which is gen. referred to L. coccinus scarlet (Gr. kókkos kermes).

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T. F. HOAD. "cochineal." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "cochineal." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-cochineal.html

T. F. HOAD. "cochineal." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-cochineal.html

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cochineal

cochineal Crimson dye produced from the pulverized dried bodies of certain female scale insects, found in Central America. The dye is still used in cosmetics and foodstuffs, although now often replaced by aniline dyes.

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"cochineal." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"cochineal." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-cochineal.html

"cochineal." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-cochineal.html

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cochineal

cochinealallele, anele, anneal, appeal, Bastille, Beale, Castile, chenille, cochineal, cockatiel, conceal, congeal, creel, deal, eel, Emile, feel, freewheel, genteel, Guayaquil, heal, heel, he'll, keel, Kiel, kneel, leal, Lille, Lucille, manchineel, meal, misdeal, Neil, O'Neill, ordeal, peal, peel, reel, schlemiel, seal, seel, she'll, spiel, squeal, steal, steel, Steele, teal, underseal, veal, weal, we'll, wheel, zeal •airmobile • Dormobile • snowmobile •Popemobile • bookmobile •automobile • piecemeal •sweetmeal, wheatmeal •fishmeal • inchmeal • cornmeal •wholemeal • bonemeal • oatmeal •kriegspiel • bonspiel • Glockenspiel •newsreel • imbecile • Jugendstil •cartwheel • treadwheel • millwheel •pinwheel • flywheel • gearwheel •waterwheel

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"cochineal." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"cochineal." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-cochineal.html

"cochineal." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-cochineal.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

FDA requires identification of carmine and cochineal extract on food...
News Wire article from: Mondaq Business Briefing; 2/11/2009
Barefoot, pregnant and on a cactus. (Chemfusion).(history of carmine dye...
Magazine article from: Canadian Chemical News; 1/1/2002
Archaeology and adventure in the Andes.("Cochineal Red: Travels Through...
Magazine article from: Geographical; 8/1/2006

Facts and information from other sites

cochineal images
cochineal. Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)