Phloxine B (Acid Red 92) & D&C Red 28: Safety Rules You Need to Know

Phloxine B, also known as phloxine is a water-soluble red dye widely used for coloring cosmetics and drugs in the United States and coloring food in Japan. It is produced from fluorescein, however, it seems different with the presence of four bromine atoms at positions 2, 4, 5, and 7 of the xanthene ring and four chlorine atoms in the carboxyphenyl ring.

A maximum absorption wavelength of 540 nm is observed in phenloxine B and a maximum emission wavelength of 564 nm is observed in phenloxine B. In addition to its industrial applications, the antimicrobial substance phloxine B has also been used in biological staining, viability dye, and antiseptic preparations.

The effects of Phloxine B, Acid Red 92 are inhibited by chemically damaging xanthene compounds, which are xanthene dyes used as photosensitizers in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT) to inhibit mycobacterial growth and fungal infection, such as fungal keratitis. The cytoplasm and connective tissue of cells are stained red with hematoxylin-phloxine-saffron (HPS).

What is Phloxine B (Acid Red 92)?

Phloxine B, also called phloxine and Acid Red 92, is a red, water-soluble dye used for coloring food and beverage items in Japan and drugs and cosmetics in the United States. Fluorescein is the raw material for it, but it is distinct from fluorescein in that xanthene rings 2, 4, 5, and 7 contain bromine, and carboxyphenyl rings contain chlorine. 

Furthermore, approximately 540 nm is the maximum wavelength for absorption, and 564 nm is the maximum wavelength for emission.

Product Information

Here is a product detail Phloxine B, Acid Red 92: 

    • Product Name: Phloxine B
    • Product Synonyms: Acid Red 92; Cyanosine; C.I. Acid Red 92; D&C Red No. 28; Eosin Blue; Eosine Blue; Food Dye Red No. 104; Phloxin B;
    • Phloxine B; Phloxine P; Fluorescein, 2′,4′,5′,7′-tetrabromo-4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-, disodium salt; Spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),9′-[9H]xanthen]-3-one, 2′,4′,5′,7′-tetrabromo-4,5,6,7-tetrachloro-3′,6′-
    • dihydroxy-, disodium salt.
    • λmax: 551 nm
    • SMILES: BrC1=C([O-])C(Br)=CC2=C1OC3=C(Br)C([O-])=C(Br)C=C3C24C(C(Cl)=C(Cl)C(Cl)=C5Cl)=C5C(O4)=O.[Na+].[Na+]
    • InChi Code: InChI=1S/C20H4Br4Cl4O5.2Na/c21-5-1-3-17(9(23)15(5)29)32-18-4(2-6(22)16(30)10(18)24)20(3)8-7(19(31)33-20)11(25)13(27)14(28)12(8)26;;/h1-2,29-30H;;/q;2*+1/p-2
    • InChi Key: OOYIOIOOWUGAHD-UHFFFAOYSA-L
    • C.I. No: 45410.
    • CAS Number: 18472-87-2
    • Molecular Formula: C20H2Br4Cl4Na2O5
    • Formula Weight: 829.6
    • Purity: ≥95%
    • Formulation: A crystalline solid

Uses of Phloxine B

Phloxine B refers to a red dye that has various uses in a variety of industrial applications, including drugs, cosmetics, and foods. The use of Phloxine B is also popular as an alternative to Gram staining to create the differentiation between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Here are some of the main uses of Phloxine B:

    • Phloxine B is most commonly used to color drugs and cosmetics in the United States and foods, such as cakes, candy, biscuits,  sausages, and confectionery products in Japan. 
    • The recommended dosage of Phloxine B is 5~100mg/kg.
    • Phloxine B functions as a biological stain and a viability dye.
    • It works as an adsorption indicator mainly for Mallory’s brilliant pink-methylene blue staining.

Phloxine B – Acid Red 92 – D&C Red 28: Understanding Safety Regulations

Phloxine B, also known as Acid Red 92 and D&C Red 28 is a red dye used as a color additive for coloring drugs, cosmetics, and foods. Here are some safety regulations for Phloxine B, regulated by the authorities and government bodies:

    •  Hair dye: The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) says that Acid Red 92 is safe to use in hair dye at concentrations of up to 2% in oxidative hair dye and 0.4% in non-oxidative hair dye. 
    •  Personal protective equipment: It’s recommended to use the right personal protective equipment, like gloves, apron, a lab coat, or eye protection when working closely with Phloxine B.
    •  Spills and leaks: Clean up spills immediately and place the material in a suitable disposal container. 
    • Skin and eye irritation: In some cases, Phloxine B may cause eye or skin irritation when not used properly. 
    •  Dust explosions: It is possible for a dust explosion to occur in high concentrations of powdered Phloxine B. Regularly clean surfaces and never use vacuum cleaners with flammable attachments. Using vacuum cleaners without ignition sources is the best way to prevent this from happening.
    •  Organic solvents: It is possible to experience physiological effects with organic solvents at low concentrations. 
    • Aqueous solutions: It’s advised not to store the aqueous solutions of Phloxine B for more than one day. The other side effects of Phloxine B include runny nose, skin rash, blurred vision, anaphylactic shock, and wheezing.

Industrial Applications of Phloxine B

Phloxine B, also known as Acid Red 92 and D&C Red 28

is currently regulated as a colorant, which has CI No. 45410 permitted for use in different drugs and cosmetic products. The use of Acid Red No. 92 is also widespread for coloring food and beverage products in Japan.

Permitted are also the insoluble barium, strontium, and zirconium lakes, salts, and pigments of this colorant. There is a limitation of 1% on the content of 2-(6-hydroxy-3-oxo- (3H) xanthene-9-yl)benzoic acid and of 2% on the content of 2-(bromo-6-hydroxy-3-oxo- (3H)xanthen-9-yl)benzoic acid). Acid Red 92 can also be used as a direct dye in the production of oxidative hair dye at a maximum concentration of 2%. 

Furthermore, it is also used in the formulation of semi-permanent hair dye at a maximum concentration of 0.4% in the finished cosmetic product.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that Phloxine B is a red dye widely used as a color additive for coloring cosmetics and drugs in the United States and food & beverages in Japan. This red dye is popular for its wide range of industrial applications, improving the visual appearance of the products they are applied to. 

There are some restrictions and limitations on the use of Phloxine B to ensure safety and product efficacy in a precise manner. Are you a business or an individual entrepreneur seeking valuable information on Phloxine B or Acid Red 92 – D&C Red 28, get in touch with us today.

FAQs

Phloxine B, also known as Acid Red 92 – D&C Red 28 is a color additive used for coloring drugs and cosmetics in the United States and food and beverage items in Japan.

Acid Red 92 is safe to use when applied as per the directions on the label. However, it may some eye and skin irritation when not used properly.

Phloxine B possesses an absorption maximum of around 540 nm and an emission maximum of around 564 nm. In addition to industrial application, Phloxine B also works as a viability dye, biological stain, and antimicrobial substance.

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