EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVE METHODS FOR COCHINEAL (DACTYLOPIUS COCCUS COSTA (HEM, DACTYLOPIIDAE) SACRIFICE AND DEHYDRATION

A major pigment of the cochineal insect, carminic acid is a colorant widely used natural in food industry. The effect of four sacrifice methods (ultrasound, asphyxiation, freezing and thermal treatment) and two simultaneous sacrifice/drying methods (microwave and forced-air oven) on the final quality of cochineal were tested. Color of samples before and after treatments was determined by colorimetry. Carminic acid quantification was done by spectrophotometry and pigment quantifycation and characterization were determined by liquid chromatography. Results revealed similar product color quality independent on the sacrifice/drying methods. However, the use of microwaves considerably shortened the dehydration process, which allowed important energy and time savings as compared to forced-air oven drying.