<p>Bengaluru: A new study at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has found that the colourful pigment extracted from the lac insect may be produced by a symbiotic yeast-like organism living inside the insect.</p><p>The lac pigment, known for its rich red colour, is a valuable commodity used across various sectors like food colouring, cosmetics, jewellery and textiles.</p><p>"Due to its popularity, a lot of research surrounding the insect has focused on commercial aspects like how to improve yield. The fundamental biology has not received much attention," said Shantanu P Shukla, assistant professor, Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, IISc, and corresponding author of the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.</p> .<p>How the insect produces the laccaic acid, the bright red compound, has remained a source of mystery for decades. During the three-year research period, the team at IISc found that the insect harbours a fungal microbiome, and typically, while the microbiome is resident in the gut of the animal, in the lac insect, it is present inside the oocyte (egg cell). The yeast-like fungus carries the entire set of genes needed for laccaic acid production.</p><p>"The yeast is a good symbiont. With it being transmitted through the oocyte, the next generation already has it when the egg hatches. It doesn't need to acquire it from food or its parents like most animals. In this case, the yeast is providing nutrients that are missing in the insect's diet," explained Shukla. The professor believes the study can help in future research surrounding insect health. </p>
<p>Bengaluru: A new study at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has found that the colourful pigment extracted from the lac insect may be produced by a symbiotic yeast-like organism living inside the insect.</p><p>The lac pigment, known for its rich red colour, is a valuable commodity used across various sectors like food colouring, cosmetics, jewellery and textiles.</p><p>"Due to its popularity, a lot of research surrounding the insect has focused on commercial aspects like how to improve yield. The fundamental biology has not received much attention," said Shantanu P Shukla, assistant professor, Department of Developmental Biology and Genetics, IISc, and corresponding author of the study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.</p> .<p>How the insect produces the laccaic acid, the bright red compound, has remained a source of mystery for decades. During the three-year research period, the team at IISc found that the insect harbours a fungal microbiome, and typically, while the microbiome is resident in the gut of the animal, in the lac insect, it is present inside the oocyte (egg cell). The yeast-like fungus carries the entire set of genes needed for laccaic acid production.</p><p>"The yeast is a good symbiont. With it being transmitted through the oocyte, the next generation already has it when the egg hatches. It doesn't need to acquire it from food or its parents like most animals. In this case, the yeast is providing nutrients that are missing in the insect's diet," explained Shukla. The professor believes the study can help in future research surrounding insect health. </p>