DrFeb
Health Guide

Lac insect

Lac is a fascinating natural resin secreted by the tiny lac insect (*Kerria lacca*) found in the forests of India and Thailand. While you might know it as the shiny glaze on your favorite candy apples or pharmaceutical pills, it's also a natural dietary supplement. Known scientifically as Shellac (E904), this substance acts as a protective barrier and binder. For health enthusiasts, it serves as a plant-based alternative to gelatin for coating tablets, making supplements vegan-friendly and protecting sensitive ingredients from oxidation.
Evidence BasedDietary Supplement
Lac insect
VERIFIED SOURCE

Bio-Activity Analysis

Shellac Dissolution Time (Coating Performance)

SCIENTIFIC DATA VISUALIZATION

Y-Axis
Dissolution Time (Minutes)
Coating Type →

Health Benefits & Sources

Why You Need It

  • Vegan-Friendly Coating: Provides a natural, non-synthetic alternative to gelatin for supplement capsules.
  • Protects Potency: Acts as a shield, protecting sensitive vitamins (like Vitamin C) from air and light degradation.
  • Digestive Timing: Can be used to create enteric coatings, ensuring supplements dissolve in the intestines rather than the stomach.

Deep Dive

Unlike vitamins or minerals that your body metabolizes, Lac insect resin (Shellac) is largely inert and passes through the system. Its primary role in a health context is functional delivery. If you take plant-based supplements, there is a high chance you are consuming Lac-derived shellac. It ensures that the active ingredients inside the pill remain potent until they reach your gut. It is also used in some traditional herbal preparations as a 'varnish' for herbs to preserve them.

Natural Food Sources

Shellac is not 'found' in fruits or vegetables; it is the resin produced by the insect. However, it is applied to many foods as a glaze.

Food ItemFormUsage
Candy ApplesGlazeProvides the signature shine and crunch.
Coffee BeansCoatingUsed to seal aroma in roasted beans.
Citrus FruitsWaxProtects skin from moisture loss during transport.
Pharmaceutical PillsCoatingMakes pills easier to swallow and stable.

Supplementation

Dosage: There is no Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Shellac, as it is a delivery vehicle, not a nutrient. It is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA.

Who should take it?

  • Vegans/Vegetarians: Looking for gelatin-free capsules.
  • Supplement Manufacturers: To protect delicate herbal extracts.

Preparation: In traditional Indian medicine, it is sometimes dissolved in water or coconut oil for consumption.

Top Food Sources

Candy Apples
Pure glaze coating
Coffee Beans
Aroma preserving wax
Pharmaceutical Pills
Enteric coating
Fruit Waxes
Citrus fruit preservation
Vegetable Capsules
Vegan supplement shell

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The refined resin (Shellac) is an FDA-approved food additive. It is non-toxic and inert.
It protects the medicine from breaking down too early and makes the pill smooth and easier to swallow.
No. It provides no vitamins or minerals. It is a functional coating agent.
It is plant-based resin but insect-derived. Strict vegans often avoid it, though it is a gelatin alternative.

Safety & Side Effects

Shellac is non-toxic and safe for consumption. It is an FDA-approved food additive (E904). However, strict vegetarians and vegans should be aware that while Shellac is plant-based resin, it is an animal secretion (insect-derived), which some choose to avoid. It is generally hypoallergenic.

Scientific References

  • [1]European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Journal - Re-evaluation of Shellac as a food additive.
  • [2]Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences - Shellac as a pharmaceutical binder.
  • [3]FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) - Standards for Food Additives.