DESCRIPTION

Shellac, Bleached, occurs as an off-white to tan, amorphous, granular resin. Shellac is obtained from lac, the resinous secretion of the insect Laccifer (Tachardia) lacca Kerr (Fam. Coccidae). Shellac, Bleached, is obtained by dissolving the lac in aqueous sodium carbonate, followed by bleaching with sodium hypochlorite, precipitation of the bleached lac with a dilute sulfuric acid solution, and drying. It is freely (though very slowly) soluble in alcohol, insoluble in water, and slightly soluble in acetone and in ether. Shellac, Bleached, is usually dissolved in a suitable solvent for application to food products.