title: Optimizing conditions for the extraction of pigments in cochineals (Dactylopius coccus Costa) using response surface methodology.
abstract: A simple method was developed for the extraction and determination of color pigments in cochineals (Dactylopius coccus Costa). The procedure was based on the solvent extraction of pigments in insect samples using methanol:water (65:35, v:v) as extractant. Two-level factorial design was used in order to optimize the solvent extraction parameters: temperature, time, methanol concentration in the extractant mixture, and the number of extractions. The results suggest that the number of extractions is statistically the most significant factor. The separation and determination of the pigments was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV-visible detection. Because the absorption spectra of different pigments are different in the visible region, it is convenient to use a diode array detector to obtain chromatographic profiles that allow for the characterization of the extracted pigments.
authors.affiliation: Plant Physiology Laboratory, Instituto Canario de Investigaciones Agrarias, 38006 La Laguna, Spain. monica@cip.es
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Méndez
authors.forename: Aurelio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carnero
authors.forename: M Gloria
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Lobo
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Afonso
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002329:Carmine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007313:Insecta / Q000737:chemistry*; D000432:Methanol; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012997:Solvents; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D010860:Pigments, Biological; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; D002329:Carmine; D000432:Methanol