Lac is a resin secreted by lac insects that feeds on certain tree species in India. India produces 70-80% of the world's lac. Lac insects of two varieties (Kusmi and Rangeeni) feed on different host trees and have distinct breeding cycles. Lac is collected and processed into products like stick lac, seed lac, shellac. Shellac is a purified form of lac used in industries like phonograph records, furniture, and electrical goods due to its hardness, adhesion and electrical resistance properties.

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2.  One of the most important of minor forest products from point of view, is the resinous
substance known as lac from which shellac is obtained.
 India is the major producer of lac which accounts for nearly 70- 80% of total world
production.
 Lac is a valuable resin secreted by the lac insect, Laccifer lacca.
 It is used in a very large number of industries, the chief among these are gramophone
records, furniture, floor polishes, paints, varnishes, electrical goods, sealing waxes and
printing inks.
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4.  Common hosts are:
o Butea monosperma ( palas)
o Zizyphus mauratiana ( ber)
o Schleichera oleosa ( Kusum)
o Zizyphus xylopyrus (ghont)
o Shorea talura (jalari )
o Cajanus cajan (arhar)
o Grewia spp.
o Acacia catechu (Khair)
o Acacia nilotica ( babul)
o Ficus spp . { F. cunia, F. infectoria , F. glomerata, F.religiosa )
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8. (Bose et al., 1963)
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9. • Lac host?
• Swarming?
• Life cycle?
• Brood lac?
• Stick lac?
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Rangeeni Kusumi

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13.  There are two distinct strains of lac insects in India, called Kusmi and Rangeeni. The former is raised mainly on
the kusum tree and the latter on all other lac hosts as palas, ber, ghont and arhar.
 The Kusmi producing (mainly on Schleichera oleosa)
(a) Jethwi (June-July)
b) Aghani (December-January)
The Rangeeni producing (mainly on Butea monosperma, Zizyphus mauratiana)
(a) Baishkhi (April-May)
(b) Katki (October-November.)
 Rangeeni contributes to nearly 80-90% of the country's production.
 The Kusmi though produced in smaller quantities is superior in quality
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15. 1) Traditional method of cultivation
2) Improved method of lac cultivation
i. Coupe system
ii. Pruning
iii. Inoculation
iv. Cropping
v. Collection and storage
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Seed lac
Stick lac
Bleached lac Aleuritic acid
Lac dye
Button lac

18. SHELLAC
• Purified lac
• The object of manufacture of shellac is to refine the crude form and
to remove the dye, animal remains and other impurities
Properties of shellac
Shellac has the following properties:
 Insolubility in water but soluble in organic solvents
 Comparative hardness among gums
 Elasticity and power of adhesion to smooth wood and metal
surfaces
 Power to assume the shape of mold.
 Power of electrical resistance.
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19. Manufacture of shellac
1. Cleaning
2. Grading
3. Extraction
4. Sheet lac formation
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21. Uses of shellac
• It is used for molding and gramophone industries,
• Varnishes, polishes, sealing waxes, hats, emery
wheel, ammunition (cartridges and shells), electrical
instruments of all kinds, it finds its greatest use.
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References:
Bose, P.K., Sankaranarayanan, Y., and Sen, S.C. 1963. Chemistry of lac. Indian
Institute of Natural Resins and Gums, Namkum, Ranchi. P. 225
Mehta, T. Handbook of Forest Utilization. International Book Distributors, Dehradun.
P. 290
Prasad, N. 2014. Final Report of NAIP sub-project on A Value Chain on Lac and Lac
based Products for Domestic and Export Markets. Indian Institute of Natural
Resins and Gums Nat. Resins Gums, Namkum, Ranchi.