cochineal
A red dyestuff obtained from the dried bodies of
the female of the insect Dactylopius coccus. The
deep red color of the dye stems from carminic acid
(C 22 H 22 O 13
). Cochineal was used extensively in the 19th
century in the production of red marbling colors
and scarlet lakes. It is also used in the dyeing
of wool and silk. (97 , 235 )
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