Carmine red from cochineal (Dactylopius coccus), a natural dye: a review

Resumen

The present review focuses on the natural carmine red dye extracted from insect Dactylopius coccus. It describes the insect, its infestation and development in the cactus plant, the insect collection, the dye extraction process, and the derived products that contain carminic acid as a natural red dye. Information about newly developed technologies such as microwave and ultrasound extraction are summarized, which may be useful for the recovery of bioactive compounds from cochineal grana. These new methods offer significant advantages in terms of efficiency and sustainability, as they have proven to be more environmentally friendly while increasing the extraction yield of carmine, promising a healthier and more sustainable future for the natural color industry.