Simultaneous Determination of Sunset Yellow FCF, Allura Red AC, Quinoline Yellow WS, and Tartrazine in Food Samples by RP-HPLC

Abstract

An efficient method was developed for the simultaneous determination of Sunset Yellow FCF (E110), Allura Red AC (E129), Quinoline Yellow WS (E104), and Tartrazine (E102) in food samples by RP-HPLC. The mentioned food dyes were analyzed at room temperature for 23 min with gradient elution. Three mobile phases were used for the elution, and mobile phase A was an acetate buffer (pH = 7.5, 1%), mobile phase B was acetonitrile, and mobile phase C was methanol. The flow rate was 1.0 mL min−1, and the injection volume was 20 µL. The linear ranges were 0.72–50 mg L−1, 0.24–50 mg L−1, 0.75–10 mg L−1, and 0.69–50 mg L−1 for Tartrazine, Quinoline Yellow WS, Sunset Yellow FCF, and Allura Red AC, respectively. R2 values were 0.999 for all dyes. Limits of detection were 0.24 mg L−1, 0.08 mg L−1, 0.25 mg L−1, and 0.23 mg L−1 for Tartrazine, Quinoline Yellow WS, Sunset Yellow FCF, and Allura Red AC, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the measurements for all of the four dyes was between 0.56 and 1.65% intraday measurements. This method was successfully applied in the determination of the mentioned dyes in ice pops, gummy bears, chewing gum, and sweets candy samples.