Erythrosine

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Erythrosine
Erythrosine
IUPAC name 2-(6-hydroxy-2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-
3-oxo-xanthen-9-yl)benzoic acid
Identifiers
CAS number
SMILES C1=CC=C(C(=C1)C2=C3C=C(C(=O)
C(=C3OC4=C(C(=C(C=C24)I)O)I)I)I)C(=O)O
Properties
Molecular formula C20H6I4Na2O5
Molar mass 879.86 g/mol
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references

Erythrosine (Tetraiodofluorescein) is a cherry-pink coal-based fluorone food dye. Its maximum absorbance is at 530 nm[1] in an aqueous solution, and it is subject to photodegradation[citation needed].

Contents

[edit] Classification

It is listed under the following number systems:

[edit] Uses

It is used as a food dye, in printing inks, as a biological stain, a dental plaque disclosing agent and a radiopaque medium. Although Red #3 has been highly implicated as a carcinogen[2], it is commonly used in sweets and foods marketed to children such as candies, popsicles, cake frosting,[citation needed] and cake-decorating gel.[3] Diamond Foods uses Red #3 to dye pecan shells red in its Blue Diamond line of mixed nuts for cosmetic reasons.[4] It is also used in strawberry Slim-Fast and its generic counterpart.[citation needed] McCormick uses it as well in their "Salad Toppins." While commonly used in most countries of the world, Red #3 is rarely used in the United States due to its known hazards[5], with Red #40 being generally used instead. However, Red #40 is banned in many European countries due to the fact that it is an azo dye.

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[edit] References

  1. ^ Food Color Additives
  2. ^ Do You Eat Food With Any Of These 9 Cancer-Causing Chemicals?
  3. ^ E.g., CakeMate pink, Signature Brands, LLC, Ocala, Florida, USA [Purchased at Harris Teeter grocery, Arlington, Virginia, 4 November 2007]
  4. ^ Blue Diamond Ultra Premium Blend Mixed Nuts, distributed by Diamond Foods, Inc. Stockton, CA
  5. ^ Studies on Food Dyes

[edit] External links