What is cochineal powder?
Cochineal powder, also known as carmine powder, is a natural dye made from the dried body of the female cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus). It is widely used in food, cosmetics, and textiles due to its vivid red color. Its full name is Cochineal Extract Powder, and it is one of the most reliable and environmentally friendly natural colorants on the market today. Cochineal belongs to the category of natural pigments and is a top choice for consumers seeking an alternative to synthetic dyes. Its main benefits include non-toxicity, long-lasting color stability, and a wide range of uses across industries.
Raw Material Source and Processing
The cochineal we use comes from carefully managed farms in Latin America, where the climate and natural habitat produce the highest quality insects. We chose this source because of its long-standing expertise in cochineal farming and consistent carminic acid content. The raw material undergoes a meticulous drying and grinding process to retain maximum carminic acid content, which is the key pigment. By adopting this method, we ensure uniform quality, vivid color, and longer shelf life of the cochineal powder.
Product Specifications and Features
The most popular product specifications we offer include 10%, 20%, and 50% carminic acid.
- Color: Deep red or dark purple, depending on the concentration.
- Odor: It has a mild earthy smell that is barely noticeable.
- Taste: Slightly bitter, but rarely tasted directly due to its use as a colorant.
Markets and Applications
In today's market, carminic acid powder is highly sought after in industries such as food and beverages (e.g. yogurt, jam), cosmetics (lipstick, blush), and textiles (dyed fabrics). Our customers primarily use it in food and cosmetics. In these applications, the typical recommended addition rate ranges from 0.05% to 0.5%, depending on the color intensity they want. Customers consistently report that when carminic acid is added to their products, the color is rich, stable, and long-lasting during processing and storage.
COA
| Item | Specification | Test Results | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Reddish or dark purple fine powder | Complies | Visual inspection |
| Carminic Acid Content | 10-20% | 19.5% | UV-Vis Spectroscopy |
| Odor | Mild earthy smell | Complies | Sensory evaluation |
| Solubility | Soluble in water and alcohol | Complies | Physical Test |
| Moisture Content | ≤ 8% | 5.3% | USP<731> |
| Ash Content | ≤ 2% | 1.1% | USP<281> |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 2 ppm | 0.5 ppm | ICP-MS, USP<233> |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 2 ppm | 0.3 ppm | ICP-MS, USP<233> |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤ 1 ppm | 0.1 ppm | ICP-MS, USP<233> |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤ 0.1 ppm | 0.01 ppm | ICP-MS, USP<233> |
| Microbiological Tests | |||
| Total Plate Count | ≤ 1000 cfu/g | 300 cfu/g | USP<2021> |
| Yeast & Mold | ≤ 100 cfu/g | 50 cfu/g | USP<2021> |
| E. coli | Negative | Negative | USP<2022> |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Negative | Negative | USP<2022> |
| Salmonella | Negative | Negative | USP<2022> |
Why choose our cochineal powder?
- Purity and color: We guarantee a high content of carminic acid, ensuring a rich and long-lasting red hue.
- Carefully Sourced and Processed: Our raw materials are sustainably sourced and our production process ensures batch-to-batch consistency.
- Customer Feedback: We have received many positive reviews about the ease of use, color stability, and overall quality of our Carmine powder, making it a top choice for high-end food and cosmetic applications.
- Competitive Pricing: We offer quality products at competitive prices, making it easier for customers to balance cost and quality.
We are confident that our Carmine powder will meet and exceed your expectations. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at sales@botanicalcube.com. We will be happy to assist you further!
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