COCHINEAL EXTRACT
Prepared at the 55th JECFA (2000), published in FNP 52 Add 8 (2000) superseding specifications prepared at the 51st JECFA (1998), published in
FNP 52 Add 6 (1998). No ADI allocated at the 21st JECFA in 1977.
SYNONYMS CI Natural Red 4, CI (1975) No. 75470; INS No. 120
DEFINITION Cochineal consists of the dried bodies of the female insect Dactylopius coccus Costa; Cochineal extract is the concentrated solution obtained after removing the alcohol (ethanol and/or methanol) from an aqueous, aqueous alcoholic or alcoholic extract of cochineal; the colouring principle is chiefly carminic acid; commercial products may also contain proteinaceous material derived from the source insect.
In commercial products the colouring principle may also be present in association with ammonium, potassium or sodium cations, singly or in
combination, and these cations may also be present in excess. Chemical names 7-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3,5,6,8-tetrahydroxy-1-methyl-9,10-dioxoanthracene-2-carboxylic acid
C.A.S. number 1343-78-8 (cochineal) 1260-17-9 (carminic acid) Chemical formula C22H20O13 (Carminic acid)
Formula weight Carminic acid: 492.39
Assay Not less than 2.0% C22H20O13
DESCRIPTION Dark red liquid
FUNCTIONAL USES Colour
