Determination of benzidine in the food colours tartrazine and sunset yellow FCF, by reduction and derivatization followed by high-performance liquid chromatography.
Free and bound benzidine, a non-sulphonated aromatic amine (NSAA), were determined in the food colours tartrazine and sunset yellow FCF. Bound amines were released by reducing with sodium dithionite, then total NSAAs were extracted into chloroform, transferred to aqueous acid solution and diazotized with sodium nitrite before coupling with 2-naphthol-3,6-disulphonic acid, disodium salt (R-salt). Coloured benzidine and aniline derivatives (BZDRS and ANRS) were analysed using reversed-phase ion pair high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and an absorbance detector set at 548 nm. Levels of total benzidine were similar to those reported in studies conducted in the USA, and ranged from < 5 to 270 ng/g. Total aniline was also determined (0.2-188 micrograms/g). Recoveries of benzidine with this method were found to be lower than expected (average ca 46%), but were reproducible. Detection limits were 15-20 ng BZDRS/g (3-4 ng benzidine/g). Mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was evaluated for identifying and determining purity of the standards, but difficulties were encountered when the methodology was applied to commercial samples.
Lancaster
F E
FE
Food Research Division, Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. frank_lancaster@hc-sc.gc.ca
Lawrence
J F
JF
D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D001560:Benzidines / Q000032:analysis*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005505:Food Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013645:Tartrazine / Q000737:chemistry*
D000814:Aniline Compounds; D001391:Azo Compounds; D001560:Benzidines; D002273:Carcinogens; D005505:Food Coloring Agents; C029876:benzidine; C005842:6-hydroxy-5-((p- sulfophenyl)azo)-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid disodium salt; D013645:Tartrazine; C023650:aniline