Cochineal/Carminic Acid
Food Grade Natural
Food Colorant

Cochineal/Carminic Acid

Premium natural red colorant derived from cochineal insects, widely used for food coloring applications. Our Cochineal/Carminic Acid delivers exceptional color intensity and stability, meeting strict food safety standards for optimal performance in various food and beverage applications.

  • Natural Red Colorant
  • E120 Approved Food Additive
  • Vibrant Color Intensity
  • Excellent Color Stability
  • Heat & Light Resistant
  • Food Safety Compliance
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Technical Specifications

Chemical Name: Cochineal Extract (Carmine)
E Number: E120
CAS Number: 1390-65-4
Active Compound: Carminic Acid
Source: Cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus)
Physical State: Dark red powder
Solubility: Water-soluble
Color: Deep red to crimson
pH Stability: 3.0-7.0
Heat Stability: Excellent (up to 120°C)
Light Fastness: Good
Packaging: 25kg fiber drums

Applications

Confectionery
Dairy Products
Beverages
Desserts
Bakery Products
Pharmaceutical
Fruit Products
Meat Products
Sauces
Natural Red Coloring
Cosmetics
Natural Products

Industry-Specific Grades

DRAVYOM offers specialized cochineal grades tailored for specific applications, ensuring optimal natural red color performance and regulatory compliance across diverse food and pharmaceutical formulations.

Food Grade (FCC)
Carminic Acid: ≥2% Heavy Metals: ≤40 ppm Arsenic: ≤3 ppm Application: Food coloring
High Purity
Carminic Acid: ≥50% Color Value: High Solubility: Enhanced Application: Premium products
Beverage Grade
Clarity: High Stability: pH optimized Particle Size: Fine Application: Beverages
Cosmetic Grade
Purity: ≥98% Microbial Limits: Low Skin Safe: Tested Application: Natural cosmetics

Quality Standards

DRAVYOM's Cochineal Extract is manufactured under stringent quality control protocols, meeting international food safety standards and regulatory requirements for consistent natural red coloring performance.

ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety Management
FCC & JECFA Grade Specifications
Natural Red Color Strength
Advanced Purity Testing
Natural Insect Source
Heat & pH Stability
Certificate of Analysis
Allergen Declaration

Advanced Chemical Properties & Performance

Food Grade Cochineal exhibits exceptional chemical properties essential for food applications. Its ultra-pure composition and precise color intensity ensure reliable performance in demanding food processing and natural coloring applications.

Analytical Properties
Active Component: Carminic Acid
Color Index: CI Natural Red 4
E Number: E120
λmax: 494 nm
Physical Properties
Melting Point: 136°C
Solubility: Water and alcohol soluble
Appearance: Dark red powder
Origin: Natural insect-derived
Food Performance
Coloring Power: Intense red coloration
Heat Stability: Good up to 100°C
Light Fastness: Excellent stability
pH Stability: Stable pH 3.0-7.0
Purity Specifications
Carminic Acid Content: ≥ 2.0%
Heavy Metals: ≤ 40 ppm
Moisture Content: ≤ 12.0%
Ash Content: ≤ 8.0%
Stability Properties
Shelf Life: 5 years (unopened)
Light Sensitivity: Excellent light stability
Storage Temperature: Stable 0-30°C
Humidity Tolerance: ≤ 60% RH

Performance Characteristics

Detailed performance metrics demonstrate Food Grade Cochineal superiority in food applications with exceptional color intensity, stability, and consistency across diverse food formulations and processing conditions.

Color Consistency

Uniformity: ±3% color intensity variation

Exceptional batch-to-batch consistency
Heat Stability

Retention: 95%+ color up to 100°C

Good thermal processing stability
Solubility Performance

Dissolution: Complete in water/alcohol

Excellent incorporation in formulations
Natural Origin

Source: Natural insect-derived colorant

Traditional natural ingredient
Light Fastness

Stability: Excellent under all light conditions

Outstanding color permanence
Storage Stability

5 years under proper storage conditions

Extended food grade integrity

Safety Information

Food grade ingredient with established safety profile. Handle with standard food processing hygiene practices. Avoid direct inhalation of powder and use appropriate dust control measures. Follow good manufacturing practices and maintain clean, dry storage conditions to prevent contamination.

Food Grade
FDA Approved
Safe for Consumption

Storage & Handling

Store in original sealed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources and moisture. Keep containers tightly closed and protect from humidity. Use clean, dry handling equipment and ensure proper hygiene practices for food grade material handling.

Cool storage (15-25°C)
Dry, well-ventilated area
Original sealed containers
Protect from moisture

Chemical Mechanisms & Reaction Pathways

Cochineal exhibits exceptional natural red coloring properties through carminic acid structures, providing reliable red coloration with excellent pH sensitivity and outstanding color intensity in diverse food applications.

Carminic Acid Chemistry

Anthraquinone structure provides intense red coloration

Natural red pigment with exceptional color strength
pH Color Change

Color varies from red to purple based on pH conditions

pH-sensitive coloring allows controlled color development
Metal Complexation

Forms stable complexes with aluminum and calcium ions

Metal lakes provide improved stability and performance
Light Stability

Excellent photostability compared to synthetic red colorants

Superior light resistance in food applications

Regulatory Compliance & Documentation

Comprehensive regulatory approval ensures global food industry access with complete documentation packages supporting international natural colorant and food additive regulations.

FDA Approved

Approved for food coloring applications with proper labeling

EU Approved (E120)

European Union approval for natural red colorant applications

Natural Origin

Extracted from cochineal insects with traditional processing

Global Approvals

Approved in over 100 countries for natural food coloring

Allergen Labeling

Proper labeling requirements for sensitive individuals

Complete Documentation

Certificates of Analysis, color specifications, and purity data

Technical Support & Value-Added Services

DRAVYOM's natural colorant team provides comprehensive formulation support, application guidance, and technical services to optimize Cochineal performance in your specific red coloring applications.

Formulation Development
  • Color matching and shade optimization
  • pH adjustment strategies for color control
  • Lake vs extract form selection
  • Custom cochineal preparation development
Quality Assurance
  • Batch consistency verification and color measurement
  • Carminic acid content analysis
  • Stability testing and validation
  • Regulatory compliance documentation
Application Support
  • Process optimization for food manufacturing
  • Storage and handling best practices
  • Training for production teams
  • Troubleshooting color challenges
Supply Solutions
  • Flexible packaging options and sizes
  • Just-in-time delivery scheduling
  • Global distribution network access
  • Emergency supply arrangements

Environmental Impact & Sustainability

Our Cochineal production emphasizes environmental responsibility through sustainable insect farming, traditional extraction methods, and comprehensive environmental stewardship for natural red colorant production.

Sustainable Farming

Responsible cochineal insect cultivation with ecosystem protection

Water Conservation

Efficient extraction with minimal water usage

Traditional Methods

Time-tested extraction methods with minimal environmental impact

Biodegradable

Naturally biodegradable with minimal environmental impact

Fair Trade

Fair trade sourcing supporting farming communities

Minimal Processing

Simple extraction with minimal chemical intervention

Manufacturing Excellence & Quality Control

DRAVYOM's specialized natural colorant facility employs traditional extraction methods combined with modern quality control technology to ensure consistent Cochineal quality and color performance.

Production Process

Traditional extraction methods with modern purification

Multi-stage extraction for optimal carminic acid content
Quality Testing

Comprehensive testing including color value, purity, and carminic acid content

HPLC analysis and color intensity validation
Quality Systems

HACCP, GMP, and natural ingredients certified manufacturing

Continuous monitoring and validation programs
Packaging Standards

Light-protected packaging with nitrogen atmosphere

Extended shelf life preservation systems

Market Applications & Performance Data

Comprehensive food industry data demonstrating Cochineal effectiveness across diverse applications with quantified coloring performance metrics and stability validation studies.

Beverages
Color Strength: 2000-8000 color units per gram pH Range: Optimal color development at pH 3-7 Stability: 95% color retention over 12 months
Confectionery
Heat Stability: Maintains color through manufacturing Sugar Compatibility: Excellent in high-sugar systems Shelf Life: 18-month stability in finished products
Dairy Products
Protein Interaction: Stable in protein-rich systems Processing: Compatible with pasteurization Appearance: Natural red color without artificial tones

DRAVYOM Competitive Advantages

Superior Color Intensity

Consistently exceeds natural red colorant specifications with exceptional stability

Sustainable Supply

Guaranteed availability through sustainable insect farming and traditional extraction

Natural Color Expertise

Specialized team provides red color development and natural ingredient optimization

Quality Assurance

Comprehensive certificates with carminic acid content and natural origin documentation

Global Standards

International compliance with natural colorant and food safety regulations

Partnership Approach

Collaborative relationships with food manufacturers and custom natural color solutions