Salvatierra, Gto., June 30, 2016.- In the venue Salvatierra from the University of Guanajuato (UG) there was a Continuous Education course "Fine cochineal: production and art", with the purpose to show the students and attendees the benefits of the insect in its artisanal production, as well as the theory and practice on such insect.
In the workshop, they were allowed to explores the qualities of the fine cochineal as natural red colorant in cosmetics and food –tradition circa prehispanic era—and could make a practice to create a lipstick and dye fabric.
The responsible of the project was Dr. Gabriela Arroyo, Full-time professor ascribed to the Department of Agro-industrial Engineering of the Division of Health Sciences and Engineering, who has a broad experience in the use and application of natural colorants in the textile, cosmetic and food industries.
This time, there was a project that covered the liaison and research with companies and civil society in the application of the grana cochineal, since in the south side of the state, the culture of the fine cochineal insect (Dactrylopius coccus Costa) has been incentivized, commonly known as grana cochineal; due to its use and application in industry or handicrafts; the course is requested by companies, students and people from the civil society and it is the second time that it is given, explained Dr. Arroyo.
Along the course, the attendees had the opportunity to know the theory and practice about the insect and the process of production that engulfs the grana cochineal, from its culture, harvest, handling and post-harvest of the same. The professor cleared that "there are two types of cochineal, the wild and the fine, and the colorant of the second is most known for its good quality and high concentration."
As guests of the course organized by the Extension Unit of Campus Celaya-Salvatierra, attended Dr. Liberato Portillo Martínez, Dr. Arcelia Julipan Núñez and Dr. Ana Lilia Vigueras Guzmán, from different universities within the country and experts in the subject.
