E904 Shellac

Shellac (Shellac, E904) — glazier. Natural resin produced by the insect lacworm (Laccifer lacca), parasitic on some tropical and subtropical trees in India and Southeast Asia (Croton laccifera and others).

Shellac is used in the manufacture of lacquers, insulation materials and in photography. Before the invention of vinyl in 1938, shellac was used for the production of records.

Shellac – this word in most people is associated with the manicure procedure. In fact, the substance, although related to decorative cosmetics for nails, is known under the code E904 in international classifications of food additives, and refers to anti-flaming and glazing components used in the food industry. The shiny icing on sweets, dragees, lollipops, chocolate and even fruits, most often owes its appearance to food shellac. Other names of the additive are sticklak, gummilak resin or stocklak, and one of the advantages for which it is appreciated by food manufacturers is its natural origin.

Description of SHELLAC E904

Shellac E904 is an amphora granular resin, which belongs to the categories of food additives: anti-flaming and glazing agent. The resin has a completely natural origin and is permitted. It is used both in the food industry and in medicine, cosmetology and construction. Top coats with E904 are highly resistant to dirt, dust, scratches and light. The natural color of the shellac gives the furniture a monarchic antique look.

Method for obtaining Shellac E904

Shellac is a waste product of worms. The habitat of insects is Thailand and India. The worms live on trees and feed on their juices. The recycled material is released through the skin pores. This is the raw material for obtaining the E904 additive.Raw materials are processable, which depends on the final industrial product. Resin can be sold in dry form. It’s either flakes or pebbles. Also common is liquid shellac. To obtain it, the resin is dissolved in ethyl alcohol.

Properties of E904, chemical characteristics and production mechanism

Shellac food additive structurally represents compounds and esters of aromatic and fatty hydroxy acids – aluretic, shellolic and others. The composition contains lactones, pigments and shellac wax. The main active ingredient (resin) is 60-80% of the E904 additive.

The substance usually enters production in the form of flakes that are only a few millimeters thick. Shellac does not dissolve at all in water, fats, acetone and ethers. It has good solubility in alkalis, aliphatic alcohols, medium solubility in benzene, ethanol.

The melting point of the substance is 80 degrees Celsius. In addition to water resistance, it also has resistance to light exposure, as well as an electrical insulating effect.

The first mention of the use of this resin dates back to the 1st millennium BC. India and the countries of Southeast Asia – the habitat of insects called Laccifer lacca (lacquer bugs), resembling bedbugs.

These insects feed on tree resin and juices that are secreted from the branches, bark and leaves of trees. Due to the digestive processes of the worms, the substances they eat turn into resin, which the insects deposit as a result on the branches and bark of trees. The resin or lacquer dries to form a crust that is collected for further processing.

First, the raw material is dissolved with sodium carbonate – in this way the future shellac is cleaned of various organic impurities (insect particles, leaves).

The resulting substance is bleached using sodium hypochlorous acid and then dried.

To get rid of the wax in the additive, at the end it is subjected to a reaction with a weak solution of sulfuric acid and the insoluble wax is filtered out. As a result, a bleached shellac purified from wax is obtained.

In addition to white colors, it can be orange or light brown. It is also possible to synthesize a colorless additive.

The technological purpose of the E904 additive is the formation of glazing coatings, the prevention or reduction of the intensity of foam formation, and the prevention of sticking of glazing particles to each other.

How the substance is used in industry

In the chemical industry, E904 is used to make paints, polishes, varnishes for wooden musical instruments and furniture. Before the invention of vinyl in the 40s of the last century, the component was used in the process of making records.

Shellac is the basis for polyethylene film and aluminum foil, is used in the textile industry to stiffen felt and similar fabrics, and is also a component of electrical insulating varnishes for impregnating coils of electrical appliances and processing electrical components.

Shellac is a component of hairsprays and shampoos, various long-lasting styling products, as well as waterproof mascara.

The cosmetics industry is not complete without shellac: manufacturers highly appreciated its water-repellent properties, temperature stability and ability to create the necessary texture of the product.

Since 2010, mass production of resistant gel polish began in the United States, which contains the additive E904, respectively, it was called “Shellac”. The coating is distinguished by its special strength, color saturation and the ability to level the nail plate.

It is also added to dietary supplements and wax protective shells for some types of cheese.

In the form of a glazing or defoaming component, E904 is found in such foods:

• fresh fruits (citrus fruits, peaches, pears, apples, melons – for surface treatment);
• sweets, lollipops, dragees, chocolate;
• flour products with icing;
• grain coffee;
• chewing gum;
• marzipan mass.

In addition to food production, shellac has also found its application in the pharmaceutical industry – as a glazing coating for some drugs in the form of tablets and dragees.

Can shellac affect human health

There is no clear answer in favor or against the use of shellac in food today.

The substance was studied in laboratory conditions, and no official data on its possible toxicity or oncogenicity were announced. The only danger it can pose is allergic reactions.

In some cases of individual intolerance, foods and cosmetics with a substance in the composition can cause itching and skin rashes.

Food supplement E904 is not absorbed by the body in any way and is excreted from it unchanged.

Packaging and storage rules

Shellac can be transported and stored in various containers, for example, jute or synthetic fabric bags (materials must be approved for contact with food products), in wooden boxes or cardboard boxes, boxes, drums.

In retail, the substance is found in foil containers or in plastic packaging.

The E904 additive is classified by the world community as relatively safe. Its use is allowed in many states: in the USA, Canada, EU countries, Russia. The popular Ritter sport chocolate in its composition contains shellac as a glazing component.

Since the substance is of natural origin, it has few opponents: in general, its use as a component of food products does not cause controversy.

The study of the effects of shellac on human health continues today, but so far all studies indicate that the food supplement E904 does not benefit, but does not harm the body.