Making Red Paint from Bugs

Reupload from my Tik-tok #science #chemistry #color #acid #pigment #red

Materials: Cochineal Insects, sodium carbonate, ammonia, Alum

Hazards: Strong bases can cause serious burns

Methods: "The manufacture of mineral and lake pigments, containing directions for the manufacture of all artificial artists' and painters' colours, enamel colours, soot and metallic pigments" 1901

Note: I was just reviewing my synthesis notes and I actually did another thing different with the second beaker beyond just boiling it. I also added 4mL of stannous chloride which I read could help the pigment precipitate better. I believe this had more to do with the better precipitation of pigment in that second beaker than simply boiling it.