Erythrosine Color: A Comprehensive Guide to Its Uses and Applications
Erythrosine is a red dye commonly used as a color additive in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Erythrosine is a synthetic dye that is cherry pink or red, also known as Red No. 3 or FD&C Red No. 3. In this blog, we provide a basic understanding of Erythrosine Color – Acid Red 51 and various uses of Erythrosine color.
If you are wondering what erythrosine is and what its uses are, you have landed in the right place. In popular foods and beverages, Erythrosine Color—red dye 3 is a synthetic dye made from petroleum, also known as erythrosine.
Despite very little research, the coloring agent became the first approved in 1907. As of today, the use of Erythrosine Color is widespread for a diverse range of applications, including food, drugs, and cosmetics.
What is Erythrosine Color – Acid Red 51?
Erythrosine, also known as Acid Red 51 or FD&C Red No.3, is a red dye widely used in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. It is derived from petroleum and was first approved in 1907. It is a derivative of Erythrosine and an organoiodine compound. Due to health concerns, using Erythrosine color or color additives in food is restricted in some regions.
It occurs as a salt of 2,4,5,7-tetraiodofluorescein disodium. Photolysis occurs when exposed to an aqueous solution with a maximum absorbance of 530 nm. Starting in January 2025, the California Assembly’s Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials prohibits the use of erythrosine in California food products.
Moreover, it is widely used as a color additive in various industries, including foods, drugs, and cosmetics.
Use of Erythrosine Color – Acid Red 51
Erythrosine is FDA-certified and approved for use in food and ingested drugs, however, its uses are restricted to cosmetics and topical drugs. In European Union regions, Erythrosine is prohibited as a food additive and is only approved for use in processed cherries and pet foods.
Erythrosine color or red dye Acid No. 51 is permitted as a color additive for use in foods in various countries, including China, Australia, and New Zealand. Furthermore, here are some widely popular uses of erythrosine in different foods, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other applications.
- Food: Erythrosine Color is a color or color additive that provides a red color for coloring various food & beverage products, such as chocolate, sweets, cake-decorating gels, and sprinkles.
- Pharmaceuticals: Pharmaceuticals are widely used in a variety of industrial applications, such as coloring tablets, capsules, syrups, and more.
- Cosmetics: Erythrosine, also known as Acid Red 51 – FD&C Red No. 3, is a red dye used in cosmetics to create a bright red or cherry-pink color.
- Dental plaque: Erythrosine is a red dye most commonly used to reveal dental plaque more efficiently.
- Cell staining: This red dye is used to determine the viability of dead cells by staining them pink.
Erythrosine: Product Information
- IUPAC name: 2-(6-Hydroxy-2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-3-oxo-xanthen-9-yl)benzoic acid
- Identifiers
- CAS Number: 16423-68-0
- Color Index no: 45430 (Acid Red 51)
- E number: E127 (Food Red 14)
- InChI=1S/C20H8I4O5/c21-11-5-9-17(13(23)15(11)25)28-18-10(6-12(22)16(26)14(18)24)20(9)8-4-2-1-3-7(8)19(27)29-20/h1-6,25-26H check
- Key: OALHHIHQOFIMEF-UHFFFAOYSA-N check
- InChI=1/C20H8I4O5/c21-11-5-9-17(13(23)15(11)25)28-18-10(6-12(22)16(26)14(18)24)20(9)8-4-2-1-3-7(8)19(27)29-20/h1-6,25-26H
- Key: OALHHIHQOFIMEF-UHFFFAOYAB
- SMILES [O-]C(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1C1=C2C=C(I)C(=O)C(I)=C2OC2=C1C=C(I)C([O-])=C2I.[Na].[Na]
- Chemical formula: C20H6I4Na2O5
- Molar mass: 879.86 g/mol
Erythrosine Color: How Safe Is It?
Erythrosine color is a red dye or color additive widely used in food, drugs, and cosmetics. Erythrosine imparts a red color to various food and beverage products. Erythrosine, also known as F&DC Red No. 3, in the US and the Food and Drug Administration, has been certified and permitted for use as a food coloring, colorant, or color additive.
Regarding safety concerns, the erythrosine color is safe to consume in foods, drugs, and cosmetics and doesn’t cause serious health issues. However, some studies show it can cause behavioral problems or skin irritation when misused.
Erythrosine Tablet Uses
When it comes to Erythrocin Tablets, the active ingredient is erythromycin, which belongs to a class of antibiotics known as macrolides. The main function of erythrocin tablets is to treat infections, such as thrush and sinusitis as well as prevent them more efficiently.
Additionally, bronchitis and pneumonia are among the most common chest infections, the Erythrosine Tablets are used.
Conclusion
Hence, it can be concluded that Erythrosine is a popular red dye, also known as FD&C Red No.3 or Acid Red 51, widely used as a color additive in various industrial applications, including food, drugs, and cosmetics. Whether you’re a business or an individual professional looking for more information on Erythrosine dye or color, look no further than Hridhan Chem.
Hridhan Chem is a reputable manufacturer and exporter of premium-quality synthetic dyes and pigments for use in foods, drugs, and cosmetics. Contact us today!
