Shellac

(in 279 products)

1. Emollient - Softens and soothes the skin. Helps with skin conditioning.

2. Glazing Agent - A waxy coating which provides protection and prevents water loss

3. Hair Fixative - Sets the hairstyle in place and prevents hair frizziness

Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug, on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. It is processed and sold as dry flakes and dissolved in ethanol to make liquid shellac, which is used as a brush-on colorant, food glaze and wood finish. Shellac functions as a tough natural primer, sanding sealant, tannin-blocker, odour-blocker, stain, and high-gloss varnish. Shellac was once used in electrical applications as it possesses good insulation qualities and it seals out moisture.

Shellac, edible, is used as a glazing agent on pills and sweets, in the form of pharmaceutical glaze (or, confectioner's glaze). Because of its acidic properties (resisting stomach acids), shellac-coated pills may be used for a timed enteric or colonic release. Shellac is used as a 'wax' coating on citrus fruit to prolong its shelf/storage life. It is also used to replace the natural wax of the apple, which is removed during the cleaning process. When used for this purpose, it has the food additive E number E904.

Shellac coating applied with either a standard or modified Huon-Stuehrer nozzle, can be economically micro-sprayed onto various smooth sweets, such as chocolate coated peanuts. Irregularities on the surface of the product being sprayed typically result in the formation of unsightly aggregates ("lac-aggs") which precludes the use of this technique on foods such as walnuts or raisins.

It is approved to use as food additive in EU.

1. PubChem: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6850749

1. EU Approved Food Additive [2018]

- E904