Erythrosine
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2007) |
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| Names | |
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| IUPAC names
2-(6-hydroxy-2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-
3-oxo-xanthen-9-yl)benzoic acid | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.036.390 |
| E number | E127 (colours) |
PubChem CID
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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| Properties | |
| C20H6I4Na2O5 | |
| Molar mass | 879.86 g/mol |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Erythrosine is a cherry-pink synthetic fluorone food coloring. It is the disodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetraiodofluorescein. Its maximum absorbance is at 530 nm[1] in an aqueous solution, and it is subject to photodegradation.[citation needed]
Uses
It is used as a food coloring, in printing inks, as a biological stain, a dental plaque disclosing agent and a radiopaque medium. It is commonly used in sweets and foods marketed to children such as sweets/ candies, popsicles, cake icing/ frosting and cake-decorating gels.[2][3] It is also used to color pistachio shells.[4] While commonly used in most countries of the world, erythrosine is rarely used in the United States due to its known hazards,[5] with Allura Red AC (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, despite the fact that it has fewer known health risks than Red #3.
Classification
It is listed under the following number systems:
- FD&C Red No. 3
- E number E127 (Food Red 14)
- Color Index no. 45430 (Acid Red 51)
- Indian Standards No. 1697