HPLC-DAD-MS analysis of colorant and resinous components of lac-dye: A comparison between Kerria and Paratachardina genera

摘要

A database using high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection was created for lac-dye insects (Kerria and Paratachardina genera) in order to identify the red dye used in historical textiles. Lac from ICerria and Paratachardina species was easily distinguished by liquid chromatography coupled to negative electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Seventy-six historical lac-dye specimens and seven reference insect specimens were analyzed and compared with 41 historical carpet samples. Using this approach, the presence of Kerria spp. was identified in three carpets, pointing to an Iranian provenance and corroborating a 16th/17th-century date for them, obtained previously with C14 analysis.