Page 367 - Pharmacognosy 2 PG303 (1)

Pharmacognosy-2 (PG303) Level 2 Clinical Pharmacy-Pharm D

Animal - derived drugs

Cochineal

Cochineal or coccus is the dried female insect Dactylopius coccus, family Coccidae
containing eggs and larvae.

Cochineal insects are indigenous to Central America and derived from Peru and
Canary Islands.

Life History: Both male and female insects emerge from eggs. The male is 1 mm.
long possessing wings, while female insect is 2 mm long and without
wings. After fecundation takes place, the female attaches itself to the
cacti by means of its proboscis and the male die. The female swell to
twice its size, owing to the presence of developing larvae, and develop
red colouring matter. In about fourteen days, the larvae matures and
escapes from the now dead body of the parent. The young female
crawl about the plant and the males fly. This life cycle takes about six
weeks, and three generations of insects may be produced in one
season.
Collection The insects are brushed from the plants and most of them are killed.
and Killing may be done by plunging in boiling water (black grain,
preparation: purplish black) or by exposure to fumes of burning sulphur (Silver
grain, purplish grey).
Characters: Cochineal insects are 3.5 to 5.5 mm. long. They are oval in outline;
the convex dorsal surface shows 9-11 segments and no constriction
between head, thorax, and abdomen. The insects have a pair of seven-
jointed antennae and 3 pairs of minute legs. The surface bears tubular
glands which secrete wax.

Constituents:

Uses: Natural colouring agent

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