CA Index Name: Carmine
Other Names: Alum carmine; Alum lake; Alum lake of carminic acid; B Rose Liquid; C.I. 75470; Carmine; Carmine alum lake; Carmine red; Cochineal; Cochineal extract; Nacarat; Natural Red 4
Merck Index Number: Not listed
Chemical / Dye Class: Anthraquinone
Molecular Formula: C44H43AlCaO32
Molecular Weight: 1150.86
Physical Form: Red powder
Solubility: Slightly soluble in water; soluble in alkali solution; insoluble in cold water
Melting Point: 138-140 °C (darkens)
Absorption (λmax): 531 nm, 563 nm
Synthesis: Synthetic methods
Staining Applications: Beverages; candies; cheese; chewing gum; noodle seasoning; sweeteners; confectionery products; fish; meat; food casings; fruits; vegetables; bacteria; cells; chromatin; glycogen; mucus; nuclei; microorganisms; nucleic acids; proteins; capsules; cough syrups; tablets; lips; lip gloss; lipstick; cheek color; nails; eyelashes; eyebrows; sunscreen; skin; hairs
Biological Applications: Drug delivery products; preventing coronary artery disease; cancer chemo-preventive activity; lipid metabolism; treating Alzheimer’s disease; soaps; whitening teeth; in food products; pharmaceuticals; cosmetics; medical devices
Industrial Applications: Adhesives; paints; inks; toners; coloring cigarette papers, textiles
Safety / Toxicity: Carcinogenicity; chronic toxicity; clastogenic effects; DNA repair; embryotoxicity; food allergy; hepatotoxicity; occupational asthma; reproductive toxicity; teratogenicity
Certification / Approval: Certified by Biological Stain Commission (BSC)