The constitution of coccerin

Abstract

Coccerin, the benzene-soluble, alcohol-insoluble wax of the cochineal insect (Coccus cacti), has been investigated in some detail. The "cocceryl alcohol" of Liebermann is 15-keto-n-tetratriacontanol, CH3.(CH2)18.CO.(CH2)13.CH2OH and his "coccerinic acid" a mixture of 13-keto-n-dotriaeon-tanoic acid, CH3.(CH2)18CO.(CH2)11CO2H, and n-tria-contanoic acid, CH3. (CH2)28CO2H. The generic relationship between these compounds and n-nonacosan-10-ol, CH3.(CH2)18CHOH.(CH2)8.CH3, present in the wax of the apple cuticle is briefly discussed. Reasons are given for the suggestion that all previous work on the constitution of insect wax is in need of reinvestigation.