Amaranth (dye)

Chembox new
ImageFile=Amaranth new.pngImageSize=200px
IUPACName=trisodium (4E)-3-oxo-4- [(4-
sulfonato-1-
naphthyl)hydrazono] naphthalene-
2,7-disulfonate
OtherNames=FD&C Red No. 2,
E123,
C.I. Food Red 9,
Acid Red 27,
Azorubin S,
C.I. 16185
Section1= Chembox Identifiers
CASNo=915-67-3
PubChem=6093196
SMILES=C1=CC=C2C(=C1)C(=CC=C2S(=O)(=O) [O-
] )NN=C3C4=C(C=C(C=C4)S(=O)(=O) [O-
] )C=C(C3=O)S(=O)(=O) [O-
] . [Na+] . [Na+] . [Na+]
Section2= Chembox Properties
Formula=C₂₀H₁₁N₂Na₃O₁₀S₃
MolarMass=604.47305
Appearance=Dark red solid
Density=
MeltingPt=120 °C (decomposes)
BoilingPt=
Solubility=
Section3= Chembox Hazards
MainHazards=
FlashPt=
Autoignition=
RPhrases = R36/37/38
SPhrases = S36/37/39

Amaranth, FD&C Red No. 2, E123, C.I. Food Red 9, Acid Red 27, Azorubin S, or C.I. 16185, is a dark red to purple azo dye once used as a food dye and to color cosmetics, but since 1976 it has been banned in the United States by FDA as it is a suspected carcinogen. ["The following color additives are not authorized for use in food products in the United States: (1) Amaranth (C.I. 16185, EEC No. E123, formerly certifiable as FD&C red No. 2);" [http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~comm/cp03803.html FDA/CFSAN Food Compliance Program: Domestic Food Safety Program] ] It usually comes as a trisodium salt. It has the appearance of reddish-brown, dark red to purple water-soluble powder that decomposes at 120 °C without melting. Its water solution has absorption maximum at about 520 nmFact|date=May 2008. Amaranth is made from coal tar.

Amaranth is an anionic dye. It can be applied to natural and synthetic fibers, leather, paper, and phenol-formaldehyde resins.

As a food additive it has E number E123.

Decertification

In 1969, Soviet scientists discovered that long-term usage of Red Dye #2, even at the low dosages found in foods, caused cancer in test animals. The FDA conducted its own tests, following the Soviet guidelines, with the results being inconclusive. The FDA banned FD&C Red No. 2 in 1976. FD&C Red No. 3 (erythrosine), and FD&C Red No. 40 (Allura Red AC) replaced the decertified color.

References

ee also

* Amaranth (color)
* Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act