The Science of Dyeing

Posted: Feb. 3, 2020 in: Science in the Classroom

Home / Learn / The Science of Dyeing

The Science of Dyeing

Posted: Feb. 3, 2020 in: Science in the Classroom

Did you know that crushed insects can make up to 40 colours of dye?

Cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus) live on the prickly pear cactus in Central and South America and Mexico. The females produce carminic acid and can be used to produce dyes for food, textiles and makeup. The carminic acid is pH sensitive and changes colour with the addition of an acid or base. At pH values below 4.5, it appears pale orange; at pH 7–7.7 light red and red, and at pH above 12, its color is magenta-red (Dapson, 2005, 2007 in Müller-Maatsch & Gras, 2016)

References:

J. Müller-Maatsch, C. Gras (2016) Handbook on Natural Pigments in Food and Beverages [Web article] retrieved Aug 23, 2019 from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/carminic-acid

The MAIWA Guide to Natural Dyes: What they are and How to Use them (n.d.) [Web article] retrieved Aug 23, 2019 from http://www.box19.ca/maiwa/pdf/Guide_To_Natural_Dyes.pdf

Resource: Cochineal Dying (2015, Jul 30) [Web article] retrieved Aug 23, 2019 from https://www.mexicolore.co.uk/maya/teachers/cochineal-dyeing-resource

Image: Cochineal insects taken from: Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72164

Related Articles

AdobeStock_668999957_0.jpeg AdobeStock_668999957_0.jpeg
Posted: July 22, 2024 in: Science News

Food Chain Reactions

How Climate Change is Impacting Canada's Lakes

Read More
Screenshot 2023-06-13 at 1.13.39 PM.png Screenshot 2023-06-13 at 1.13.39 PM.png
Posted: March 20, 2024 in: Science News

It Is Ice to See You

How Seasonal Connections Are Affected by Climate Change

Read More
IceCore.jpg IceCore.jpg
Posted: Nov. 6, 2023 in: Science News

Getting to the Core of Climate Change

A Look at How Refrigerants Are Affecting Our Environment through Ice Cores

Read More
View All Stories

Related Articles

AdobeStock_668999957_0.jpeg AdobeStock_668999957_0.jpeg
Posted: July 22, 2024 in: Science News

Food Chain Reactions

How Climate Change is Impacting Canada's Lakes

Read More
Screenshot 2023-06-13 at 1.13.39 PM.png Screenshot 2023-06-13 at 1.13.39 PM.png
Posted: March 20, 2024 in: Science News

It Is Ice to See You

How Seasonal Connections Are Affected by Climate Change

Read More
IceCore.jpg IceCore.jpg
Posted: Nov. 6, 2023 in: Science News

Getting to the Core of Climate Change

A Look at How Refrigerants Are Affecting Our Environment through Ice Cores

Read More
View All Stories
×
×
×