Simultaneous determination of the isomers of Ponceau 4R and Amaranth using an expanded graphite paste electrode.

A sensitive and convenient electrochemical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of the isomers of Ponceau 4R and Amaranth by an expanded graphite paste electrode (EGPE). The EGPE was prepared by mixing EG with solid paraffin. Compared with flake graphite paste and carbon paste electrodes, the EGPE showed higher electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidization of Ponceau 4R and Amaranth. Under optimal experimental conditions, the EGPE exhibited wide linear responses to Ponceau 4R and Amaranth ranging from 6×10(-8) to 4×10(-6) mol/L and 8×10(-8) to 4×10(-6)mol/L, respectively, and the detection limits for Ponceau 4R and Amaranth were 2 and 36 nmol/L, respectively, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The EGPE showed good reproducibility, stability and reusability. The proposed method was successfully applied in the detection of Ponceau 4R and Amaranth in grape juice samples.

Ionic liquids extraction of Para Red and Sudan dyes from chilli powder, chilli oil and food additive combined with high performance liquid chromatography.

A simple analytical method, based on the coupling of ionic liquid-based extraction with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), is developed for the determination of Sudan dyes (I, II, III and IV) and Para Red in chilli powder, chilli oil and food additive samples. Two ionic liquids (ILs), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C(4)mim][PF(6)]) and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C(8)mim][PF(6)]), were compared as extraction solvents; experiments indicated that the latter possesses higher recoveries for each analyte. Parameters related to extraction of Sudan dyes and Para Red were also optimized. Under the optimal conditions, good reproducibility of extraction performance was obtained, with the relative standard deviation (RSD) values ranging from 2.0% to 3.5%. The detection limits of Sudan dyes and Para Red (LOD, S/N=3) were in the range of 7.0-8.2 microg kg(-1) for chilli powder and 11.2-13.2 microg L(-1) for chilli oil and food additive. The recoveries were in the range of 76.8-109.5% for chilli powder samples and 70.7-107.8% for chilli oil and food additive samples.