Also: lac resin, lac
Shellac is a natural resin secreted by lac insects on trees in India and Thailand. Long used as a wood finish, it is now studied as an edible fruit coating, a carrier for encapsulated ingredients and even an ink base for disposable electronics.
Readiness: lab lab studies · prototype demonstrated objects · commercial products or buildings in real use · review summaries of other studies.
A carbon-loaded shellac ink for disposable printed electronics.
Built / tested: printed circuits
As reported in: Poulin, Aeby, Siqueira et al. (2021). Versatile carbon-loaded shellac ink for disposable printed electronics. Scientific Reports. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-03075-4
Used a shellac and gelatin composite coating to extend the shelf life of bananas.
Built / tested: fruit coatings
As reported in: Soradech, Nunthanid, Limmatvapirat et al. (2017). Utilization of shellac and gelatin composite film for coating to extend the shelf life of banana. Food Control. doi:10.1016/j.foodcont.2016.10.059
Abstract only
An edible coating of shellac and tannic acid to prolong postharvest shelf life and quality of mangoes.
Built / tested: fruit coatings
As reported in: Ma, Zhou, Li et al. (2021). Novel edible coating based on shellac and tannic acid for prolonging postharvest shelf life and improving overall quality of mango. Food Chemistry. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129510
Abstract only
Studied xanthan gum-shellac nanoparticles for encapsulating cinnamon bark extract.
Built / tested: nanoparticles
As reported in: Muhammad, Sedaghat Doost, Gupta et al. (2020). Stability and functionality of xanthan gum–shellac nanoparticles for the encapsulation of cinnamon bark extract. Food Hydrocolloids. doi:10.1016/j.foodhyd.2019.105377
Abstract only