| Description | Carminic acid, the well-known red dyestuff from cochineal insects (Dactylopius spp.), is a potent feeding deterrent to ants. Carminic acid is an antioxidant to protect erythrocytes and DNA against radical-induced oxidation, it also has antitumor activity. |
| In vitro | Carminic acid，一种来源于胭脂虫(Dactylopius spp.)的著名红色染料，对蚂蚁具有强烈的驱避效果。这种驱避效果可能反映了该化合物的自然功能，即可能在胭脂虫中进化成为一种抗捕食的化学武器。文中还描述了一种不寻常的捕食者行为——一个食肉性的鳞翅目幼虫（Laetilia coccidivora），它对 Carminic acid 无动于衷，并以胭脂虫为食。结论是，这种动物具有利用所摄入的 Carminic acid 作为自身防御目的的显著习性。 |
| molecular weight | 492.39 |
| Molecular formula | C22H20O13 |
| CAS | 1260-17-9 |
| Storage | Powder: -20°C for 3 years | In solvent: -80°C for 1 year |
| Solubility | DMSO: 55 mg/ml (111.7 mM) |
| References | 1. Red cochineal dye (carminic acid): Its role in nature. Science. 1980 May 30;208(4447):1039-42. 2. Carminic acid: An antioxidant to protect erythrocytes and DNA against radical-induced oxidation. Journal of Physical Organic Chemistry, 2009 , 22 (9) :883-7. |