Domínguez-Castillo, C., Jiménez-Hidalgo, M., López-Gámez, J., Rodríguez-Hortal, A., Alzaga-García, M., Gallardo-Abárzuza, M., Higueras-Milena, J.M., Gómez-Morón, A., García-Viñas, E., Bernáldez-Sánchez, E., & Martínez-Haya, B. 2023 High-resolution mass spectrometry identification of dye compounds and their degradation products in American cochineal from a historic shipping cargo. Dyes and Pigments 216: 111313
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Notes: This work shows that, under harsh environmental conditions, the original carminic and (flavo) kermesic acid structures of cochineal dyes are prone to chemical transformation, typically losing the carboxylic acid and glucoside groups. The anthraquinone core is preserved in the majority of degradation products identified in this study, with eventual side chains reminiscent of a partial degradation of the glucoside moiety. The comparison of these observations with the analysis of modern cochineal samples allows us to lay out an updated chart of dye compounds and degradation products which should constitute a seminal benchmark for future biomolecular analysis of historic and archeological dye materials.
