LAC AND USES

Lac is a natural commercial resin of animal origin. It is the secretion from a scale insect belonging to the genus laccifer (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) as a hard protective covering around its body. It has a reddish or dark brown color with a disagreeable smell. The word “lac” is derived from a Sanskrit word that means “hundred thousand” indicating the gregarious habit of this insect. It is commonly called Shellac and in Nepali, the laha.

Lac is produced mainly in India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and China. India is the largest producer of lac in the world

USES:

  • Lac is used in making toys, bracelets, sealing wax, gramophone records, bangles, etc.

  • It is by the jewelers and goldsmiths as a filling material in the hollows of gold and silver ornaments.

  • It is in the form of shellac is used as a furniture finish.

  • Waste materials produced during the process of stick lac are used for dying purposes.

  • Nail polish is a good example of the by-product of lac.

  • The fluid lac dye obtained by dissolving the crushed stick-lac in water is called Alakta or Alta. This dye is applied by Indian Hindu women on hands and sole of feet.

  • From the stick-lac (twigs encrusted with lac), shellac is obtained after purification. Shellac is used as a coating for medicines.

PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY

Shellac is a natural polymer that has been approved by FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) to use for food and pharmaceutical coating. With its unique properties that can strongly adhesion to the surface, water-insoluble, shiny appearance, acid-resistant. These make shellac the best coating agent for Pharmaceutical tablets.

  • Apply to pills tablet and capsule

  • Stomach acid resistant,

  • Expand shelf life

  • Moisture protection

  • Improve appearance

  • taste-masking coatings


WOOD POLISH

  • Shellac solution is able to deeply penetrate the wood surface. So the wood will still be very well preserved even after scratched.

  • Shellac is a transparent solution so it will always show the beautiful grain of the wood without concealing it. Also, it will make the wood surface look very soft and natural, not a plastic coat.

  • Shellac is totally water-insoluble. Therefore, after coating with shellac, the wood will be more water and weather seal.


FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY

  • Wax coating will reduce the dehydration rate of the Fruit and Vegetable. So Fruit or vegetable will last longer and look fresh.

  • Wax coating makes Fruit or Vegetable look more shiny and appealing.

  • Wax coating can disinfect bacteria that may still be left on the peeled fruit. So it makes the fruit last longer


Why shellac?

  • Shellac is a natural resin, it is very safe and edible FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) approve shellac as a safety material, it certified to use as a food and pharmaceutical coating.

  • With the unique property of shellac that can strongly adhesion to the surface and also make the shiny look. Even though, there are other materials that can be used for fruit coating, both natural and syntactic. Shellac still accepted to be the best and the safest material for the industry.


COSMETIC INDUSTRY

  • Shellac is used in cosmetics and other makeup products. It is also used in manicure where the nail lacquer which contains the base of shellac is applied on nails. The nail lacquer stays for a long time. It is also used to make different shades of eyeshadows.

CONFECTIONARY COATING

  • FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority)

  • Shellac is a natural resin, it is very safe and edible FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) approve shellac as a safety material, it certified to use as a food and pharmaceutical coating.

  • With the unique property of shellac that can strongly adhesion to the surface and also make the shiny look.

  • Shellac is water-insoluble. Therefore shellac coating will reduce the dehydration rate and also prevent moisture from outside. Thus it makes the Candy or Chocolates last longer.