Cochineal Scale Chemical Engineering Aspects
"On the Chemical Industry of the Cochineal Insect"
Between heaven and earth, everything contains wonderful principles. Among them, the cochineal insect, although a tiny insect, is in the field of chemical industry and has a profound meaning.
The cochineal insect has a slender body and lives on specific plants and trees. Its color is dark red, and the products it produces are the treasures of chemical raw materials. At first, people saw its beauty, but they did not know its details. After investigation, it was known that this insect contains special qualities and can be used in many chemical things.
In the method of chemical extraction, fine operation is required. First, the cochineal insect is harvested, and after purification, its impurities are removed to keep it pure. Then extract it with a suitable solvent. The choice of solvent is related to the effect, or water or other liquids, according to their physical properties. During extraction, temperature control and pressure, high temperature and bottom, and pressure all affect the dissociation of components. If the temperature is high, the quality will be fragile, and if the temperature is low, the extraction will be incomplete. The same is true for pressure. If it is too strong or too weak, it is not a good strategy.
After extraction, the crude liquid is obtained, but it still needs to be refined. After filtration, steaming, knotting, etc., the impurities in it are removed to obtain a high-purity quality. Filtration is used to separate particles, distillation is used to remove solvents, and crystallization is used to condense the essence. Every step requires the worker to be attentive and cautious, and if there is a slight error, all previous efforts will be wasted.
The cochineal extract obtained from this product has a wide range of uses. In the dyeing and weaving industry, it can give fabrics a gorgeous color, which is firm and bright, and will not fade for a long time; in food, it can give food an attractive color and increase appetite; in the road of medicine, it can also be used, or it can be used as a label of medicine, or it has other functions.
From the perspective of medicine, cochineal insects have a unique position in the way of chemical industry. Taking it as the source, through the delicate chemical technology, turning micro-waste into a treasure and adding color to the world is really a wonderful fruit of the harmony between nature and manpower.
