Carmine dye comes from crushed Dactylopius coccus or cochineal bugs. Specifically, by crushing females and their eggs, a red powder is produced, which is what makes carminic acid. Carminic acid is then boiled in water. After, aluminum salt (alum) is added, which reacts with carminic acid and is what makes the carmine dye deep scarlet red. It takes around 70,000 dried cochineal bugs to make 1kg of dye. It is suspected that carminic acid was discovered around 2000 BCE by ancient people of Mexico (specifically Puebla, Tlaxcala and Oaxaca), who harvested cochineal from the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia cochenillifera). 

Carmine is not toxic, although it has the potential to be a slight eye and skin irritant. A mask, goggles, and gloves are recommended as PPE. 

Staining Procedures

Fluorescence brightener 28 (or Calcofluor M2R) is used to determine the location of chitin within fungal skeletons. While the chemical is a serious eye irritant, it is generally not hazardous. An eyeshield/goggles, gloves, and a mask are recomended for use when handling fluorescence brightener 28.

Staining Procedures