New LC-MS/MS Method for the Analysis of Allura Red Level in Takeaway Chinese Dishes and Urine of an Adult Chinese Population.

Allura red is a widely used synthetic food dye. In this study, we developed and validated a LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of allura red in three popular takeaway Chinese dishes (braised pork, soy sauce chicken, sweet and sour pork) and human urine samples. High levels of allura red ranging from 2.85 to 8.38 mg/g wet weight were detected in the surveyed Chinese dishes. Of 113 participants who frequently consume the surveyed Chinese dishes (>once a week in the past 2 years), the median of their urinary allura red level was 22.29 nM/mM creatinine (95% CI = 19.48-25.03) . Risk assessment using Cox proportional hazard models showed that a 10-fold increase in urinary allura red was positively associated with high blood pressure (odds ratio of 1.75 (95% CI = 0.78-3.96)). Our findings provide new insights for the potential risk of hypertension for long-term allura red overconsumption.

Polyamide as an efficient sorbent for simultaneous interface-free determination of three Sudan dyes in saffron and urine using high-performance liquid chromatography-ultra violet detection.

With polyamide (PA) as an efficient sorbent for solid phase extraction (SPE) of Sudan dyes II, III and Red 7B from saffron and urine, their determination by HPLC was performed. The optimum conditions for SPE were achieved using 7 mL methanol/water (1:9, v/v, pH 7) as the washing solvent and 3 mL tetrahydrofuran for elution. Good clean-up and high (above 90%) recoveries were observed for all the analytes. The optimized mobile phase composition for HPLC analysis of these compounds was methanol-water (70:30, v/v). The SPE parameters, such as the maximum loading capacity and breakthrough volume, were also determined for each analyte. The limits of detection (LODs), limits of quantification (LOQs), linear ranges and recoveries for the analytes were 4.6-6.6 microg/L, 13.0-19.8 microg/L, 13.0-5000 microg/L (r2>0.99) and 92.5%-113.4%, respectively. The precisions (RSDs) of the overall analytical procedure, estimated by five replicate measurements for Sudan II, III and Red 7B in saffron and urine samples were 2.3%, 1.8% and 3.6%, respectively. The developed method is simple and successful in the application to the determination of Sudan dyes in saffron and urine samples with HPLC coupled with UV detection.

Evaluation of urinary mutagenicity in azo dye manufacture workers.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate urinary mutagenicity in workers employed in a major chemical plant located near Rouen (France) that produces dichlorobenzidine and azo dyes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples were obtained from 47 male workers aged 38.9+/-11.3 years (range, 21-58 years), mean duration of employment 9.0+/-8.7 years (range, 1-32 years) for urinary mutagenicity determination with use of the Ames fluctuation test (strains TA 98 and TA 100 with and without metabolic activation) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. To assess occupational exposure of workers, urine samples were collected in two series. First, initial just after a one-month holiday (non-exposure). Second, four months later during regular occupational activity. During the same periods, workers completed a questionnaire, which sought information concerning their working conditions, non-occupational factors, and personal habits. RESULTS: Of the total 47 samples tested, 3 (6%) collected just after a one-month holiday and 6 (12%) samples collected during regular occupational activity were positive in at least one mutagenicity assay. Dichlorobenzidine traces ranging from 1.6 to 8.9 ppb were detected in 4 (8%) samples of the exposed as well as in 4 (8%) samples of non-exposed workers. No significant differences between biological and analytical responses obtained in the non-exposure period and after occupational exposure were observed, however, 5 (11%) workers in this group presented urinary mutagenicity that could be related to occupational exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that some industrial hygiene problems, revealed in the analysis of questionnaire responses and confirmed by our evaluation, could be undoubtedly and easily solved to improve working conditions of the employees.

When is red urine not hematuria?: A case report.

The definition of gross hematuria is "the presence of blood in the urine in sufficient quantity to be visible to the naked eye." Certainly red urine, especially after trauma, immediately sparks the concern for genitourinary trauma. However, we report the unique case of a 19-year-old male who presented with "gross hematuria" after a motorcycle accident that turned out not to be hematuria but rather urine discoloration caused by the liberal use of a topical sulfa ointment containing an azo dye obtained in Mexico. We discuss the differential diagnosis of pigmenturia due to drugs or food ingestion, which is sparsely reported in the literature, as well as the frequency of alternative treatments used by patients presenting to the Emergency Department and the impact that can have on their evaluation.

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of primary aromatic amines in urine after derivatization to an azo dye with 2-aminoanthracene.

A sensitive HPLC method for the determination of primary aromatic amines (anilino compounds) is described. Samples were prepared by derivatization of the substrate to an azo dye with 2-aminoanthracene (2-AA). 2-AA was found to react with the diazonium salts prepared from substituted anilines such as 4-halo, -sulfonyl, -carboxyl, -nitro or -acetyl derivatives, but not 4-hydroxy or -alkyl derivatives. In this work, three model compounds [sulfanilamide, 4-aminobenzoyl-beta-alanine and 4-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)] were used to test the linearity and accuracy of the method. Chromatographic separation was carried out using a reversed-phase column (ODS) and ultraviolet detection at 279 nm. Good linearity for the three compounds was found within the range 50-2000 ng/ml. The intra-day coefficient of variation for the three compounds (at 100, 500, 1000 ng/ml) was below 10%. Using this method, the urinary excretion of PABA and its metabolites was studied after oral administration of PABA to rats.

Metabolic disposition of 14C-metanil yellow in guinea pigs.

The absorption, metabolism and excretion of 14C-metanil yellow was studied in guinea pigs. Following administration of a single po dose of 5 mg dye (7.6 mu Ci)/kg body weight, 83.4% was excreted through urine and feces within 96 h with the majority accounted for in feces. Liver, kidney and spleen did not have marked accumulation of counts, whereas testes and gastrointestinal tract retained 1.9 and 9.7% of the radioactivity, respectively. Analysis of urine and feces detected 2 azo-reduction metabolites of metanil yellow which were characterized by TLC and IR, NMR and mass spectroscopic studies as metanilic acid and p-aminodiphenylamine.

Metabolic disposition of [14C] metanil yellow in rats.

The absorption, metabolism and excretion of [14C] metanil yellow was studied in rats. Following administration of a single oral dose of 5 mg dye (7.6 microCi)/kg body weight, 80.5% of the dose was excreted in the urine and faeces within 96 hr, with the majority being accounted for in the faeces. Liver, kidney, spleen and testis retained no count whereas 13.6% of the radioactivity was retained by gastrointestinal tract. Analysis of urine and faeces detected two azo-reduction metabolites of metanil yellow which were characterized by TLC and IR, NMR and mass spectroscopic studies as metanilic acid and p-aminodiphenylamine.

Appearance and reappearance of mutagens in urine from rats after oral administration of direct brown 95, due to coprophagy.

Rats treated orally with direct brown 95, a benzidine-based dye, widely used in dyeing of textiles, plastics, paper and other materials, showed 2 peaks of excretion of mutagenic products in urine, one between 6 h and 18 h after administration and one about 30 h later. Prevention of coprophagy by fitting neck collars resulted in the disappearance of the second peak. Oral administration of carminic acid resulted in a biphasic excretion of this dye in the feces, due to coprophagy. The excretion pattern of mutagens in urine after administration of direct brown 95 corresponds with the excretion pattern in the feces of orally administered carminic acid.

Excretion of radioactivity from rats and rabbits following cutaneous application of two 14C-labeled azo dyes.

A benzidine-derived azo dye, C.I. direct black 38 (DB38), and a p-phenylenediamine-derived dye, C.I. direct black 19 (DB19), labeled with carbon-14 in their aromatic amine moieties, were applied to the shaved dorsal skin of male Fischer-344 rats and New Zealand rabbits. Application sites were protected with nylon gauze and elastic bandage assemblies. Following application of measured amounts of radiolabeled dye in 0.1 M pH 10.2 carbonate buffer, serial urine and fecal samples were obtained from individual animals in metabolism cages at 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 h. Aliquots of urine and fecal homogenates were assayed for radioactivity by scintillation counting. Cumulative excretion of radioactivity from rats receiving DB38 was 0.05% of total dermal dose at 144 h in urine, and 0.16% of total dermal dose in feces. Cumulative excretion of radioactivity from DB38-treated rabbits at 144 h was 3.12% of total dermal dose in urine, and 5.12% in feces. From rats and rabbits receiving topical DB19, cumulative excretion of radioactivity at 144 h was less than that from DB38-treated animals. In rat urine, 0.04% of total dermal dose appeared; in rat feces, no radioactivity was recovered. In rabbit urine, 0.04% of dermal dose was found; 0.01% appeared in rabbit feces.

Mutagenic activity in rat urine after feeding with the azo dye tartrazine.

The azo dye tartrazine, after dosing by gavage, is transformed by rats into urinary metabolites which exert dose-dependent mutagenic activities in the Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 after addition of rat liver metabolizing enzymes (S9 mix). The strain TA 100 showed no mutagenic response.

Mutagenicity of azo dyes in the Salmonella/microsome assay using in vitro and in vivo activation.

The mutagenicity of 6 azo dyes, including direct black 38 (DB38), direct black 19 (DB19), direct brown 95 (DB95), solvent yellow 3 (SY3), trypan blue (TPB), and food black 2 (FB2), was examined in the Salmonella/microsome assay. The effect of chemical azo reduction (dithionite) and in vivo metabolism on the mutagenicity of the dyes was also studied. In vivo azo-dye metabolites were isolated from the urine of rats intubated with dyes by XAD-2 column chromatography. Urinary metabolites from all the treated animals, except animals treated with FB2, induced frame-shift mutations in strains TA1538 and TA98 in the presence of liver S9 activation. The control urine did not increase the incidence of revertants in strains TA1538 and TA98. Thus, XAD-2 chromatography can be used to isolate genotoxic metabolites from the urine of animals intubated with azo dyes.

Mutagenicity studies of urine and faecal samples from rats treated orally with the food colourings Brown FK and Red 2G.

Urine and faecal extracts from rats given Brown FK or Red 2G orally (800 mg/kg body weight) were investigated for mutagenicity. Extracts were subjected to liquid fluctuation and plate incorporation assays with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 in the presence and absence of liver microsomes and/or a beta-glucuronidase-sulphatase preparation. Urine from Red 2G-treated rats only exhibited direct activity when coloured fractions from polyamide-column concentrates were tested with TA100. All other urines, as well as aqueous and ether faecal extracts from animals receiving either colouring, were no more mutagenic than the respective control extracts obtained from the same animals prior to dosing.

Chromatographic assays for traces of potentially carcinogenic metabolites of two azo dyes, Direct Red 2 and Direct Blue 15, in rat, hamster and human urine.

Specific, precise and sensitive methods are described for determining traces of potentially carcinogenic metabolites of Direct Red 2 and Direct Blue 15 in rat and hamster urine and to monitor the urine from workers who may be occupationally exposed to these dyes. This methodology is generally applicable to metabolites of azo dyes based on benzidine or three of its congeners. The benzidine-congener free amines, their mono and diacetylated analogs and alkaline hydrolyzable conjugates were determined after appropriate extraction and hydrolysis by HPLC or EC/GC. Residues of metabolites in rat, hamster, and human urine were determined at levels as low as 1 ppb. Supplementary information is also presented concerning hydrolysis of diacetylated metabolites and the stability of Direct Red 2 and Direct Blue 15 in rat, hamster and human urine.

[Mutagenicity of the urine of rats treated with benzidine dyes (author's transl)].

Today industrial use of benzidine is restricted in many countries. However, little attention is paid to those substances which may decompose themselves in the body and release benzidine or benzidine-like substances. I investigated the mutagenicity of urinary ingredients of rats to which benzidine and three kinds of azo dyes were separately administered through the alimentary tract. The azo dyes were Direct Black EX(EX), Direct Green BK(BK), and Direct Bordeaux BK(BK), all having 4,4'-diazobiphenyl group in each structure. The mutagenicity of the urine extract with ether was tested on Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100. Urinary metabolites of benzidine showed stronger mutagenicity than benzidine itself on both TA 98 and TA 100 in the presence of S9 mix. EX itself showed mutagenicity only on TA 98, whereas B and BK were nonmutagens. Nevertheless, the urine extract of each azo dye showed strong mutagenicity of the same pattern as benzidine. As a result it is suggested that benzidine might be released in the intestine of experimental animals after the administration of each azo dye. Mutagenic activity of urine sample is important and full of suggestions from the viewpoint of carcinogenicity of aromatic amines.

Trace analysis of potentially carcinogenic metabolites of an azo dye and pigment in hamster and human urine as determined by two chromatographic procedures.

Analytical chemical procedures are described for determining traces of possible metabolites of two azo compounds. Direct Black 38 and Pigment Yellow 12, in hamster urine and to monitor the urine from workers who may be occupationally exposed during the manufacture or use of the dye and pigment. These methods were required for metabolism studies designed to assess the hazards that may occur if the two compounds are converted by in vivo mechanisms to potential carcinogens. Salient elements of the procedure are: extraction of the free aromatic amines and neutral compounds; alkaline hydrolysis of the aqueous phase and extraction of any hydrolyzed conjugates as free amines, and the analysis of the free amines and acetylated metabolites directly by high pressure liquid chromatography or by electron capture gas chromatography after conversion of the amines to heptafluorobutyryl derivatives. Residues of metabolites in hamster and human urine were determined at levels as low as 1 ppb. Ancillary data concerning hydrolysis of diacetylated metabolites and partition values for possible metabolites in various solvent systems are also presented.

Absorption and distribution of C.I. Solvent Red 24 in rats; intra-tracheal administration of 14C labeled dye.

1-((2-methyl-4-[(2-methyl phenyl)azo] phenyl)azo)-2-naphthalenol (C.I. Solvent Red 24) was prepared having a 14C label on the methyl group of the central ring and was administered in suspension intra-tracheally to a male and a female rat. After 96 hours in metabolism cages, the animals were sacrificed and 14C counted in various organs and in urine/feces samples taken periodically up to 96 hours. Absorbed colorant was defined as that percentage of the total dose of radioactivity not present in the lung parenchyma after 96 hours relative to the total amount recovered and amounted to about 60%. Of this, about 98% was excreted in the urine and feces, the latter being the major excretory pathway. No free colorant was found in either feces or urine. Fractional percentages of the absorbed radioactivity were found in various tissues including the liver, and 4-amino-2',3(14C) dimethylazobenzene was identified in the urine after acid hydrolysis.

Analysis of biliary and urinary metabolites of 3'-methyl-4-(dimethylamino)azobenzene in rats.

Metabolites of 3'-methyl-4-(dimethylamino)azobenzene (3'-Me-DAB) in the rat bile and urine were investigated by the use of a tracer technique. 3H-3'-Me-DAB in cottonseed oil was administered orally by a stomach tube. The dye metabolites in the bile and urine collected during 24 hr after the administration were hydrolyzed with beta-glucuronidase/arylsulfatase. The hydrolyzed metabolites were then extracted with chloroform or separated by chromatography on Amberlite XAD-2 using methanol as a solvent. The metabolites in the chloroform or methanol eluates were identified by the reverse isotope dilution analysis, before or after separation by thin-layer chromatography. The N-demethylated, aryl hydroxylated, and their azo-reduced products were detected in the bile, in addition to the products oxidized at the ring methyl group as the new metabolites. On the other hand, the metabolites retaining the azo-linkage were scarcely detected in urine and instead 3-aminobenzoic acid, 3-amino-6-hydroxytoluene, and their N-acetylated products were major metabolites in urine. These results indicate that the metabolism of 3'-Me-DAB in the rat involves oxidation of the ring methyl group. Significance of the ring methyl group in the carcinogenic action of aminoazo dyes is also discussed.