lautnusantara.com - Squid ink is a dark-colored ink that produced by squid, it is also called cephalopod ink. The purpose of this ink is as a defense mechanism to helping the animal escape from their predator by obscuring their view. The squid ink contain many compound such as amino acid, melanin, polysaccharide, enzymes and hormones. Melanin is the main compound of this ink, it’s give the dark color because melanin is a type of pigment. It is the same pigmen that gave hair and skin color for human.

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Uses of squid ink:

Medicine, squid ink has antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant, making them traditionally used in Chinese medicine
 

Writing, art and painting, this ink is used by artists to create a long lasting panting. Modern artist still use this ink to make a different shades and effects.
 

Cosmetics, the use of squid ink as a cosmetics is in hair coloring product and mascara because of their dark color.
 

Food, squid ink often use in Japanese and Mediterranean cuisine because they have rich umami flavour. It can also used as food coloring.

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Squid ink is safe to consumes, it is used as food additive that can helps enhance the food taste. The savory flavour of squid ink comes from glutamates, of one amino acid types that contained within the ink. Glutamates makes the food has savory and umami taste. If you buy fresh whole squid you can find the ink on the ink sac. Other way you can purchase bottled or packaged squid ink on store. Squid ink already has a rich taste, so if you want to use it just add a couple spoon to your dish. Sometimes commercially sold squid ink is a cuttlefish ink because they have more rich and palatable flavour. Therefore, if you wish to buy squid ink make sure to read the labels of the product properly.