Analysis of main pigments and other ingredients in lac color product

The contents of the main pigments and other ingredients in commercial lac c olor products were determined by HPLC using an RP-18 column with 0.1 mol/L citric acid buffer solution-methanol (16 : 5) as the mobile phase, and a ph otodiode array (PDA) detector set at 280 nm and 490 nm. The main pigments w ere confirmed by PDA and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Laccaic acids A, B, C and E were detected in all lac color products, and the ratio of content of laccaic acid A in all products was over 50%. The total conte nts of laccaic acids A, B and C in lac color food additive products and rea gent products were 775 similar to 858, 797 and 779 g/kg, respectively. As f or the contents of ingredients except pigments in commercial food additive products, the maximum moisture content was about 10%, and ether-soluble sub stances amounted to 0.5 similar to3.6%.