DYESTUFF LIBRARY

Lac

Waste lac mud

Lac is a natural secretion of Kerria lacca and has long been used to dye wool and silk red. Anthraquinones in lac have demonstrated various pharmacological properties, including antibiotic, antiviral and antifeedant effects, and more recently antitumour or anticancer effects. Its ability to form a moisture-resistant film makes it useful today as a natural glossy coating for tablets, jellies and sweets, as well as in other industries.