AZORUBINE

Azorubine is a member of the azo dye family, which means it contains one or more azo groups (–N=N–) that link aromatic rings, a chemical structure responsible for its intense and stable coloring properties.
Azorubine is a non-natural colorant, meaning it is not derived from plant or animal sources, but rather created through chemical synthesis under controlled industrial processes.
Azorubine is often provided in its disodium salt form, which enhances its solubility and stability in aqueous solutions. 

CAS Number: 3567-69-9
Molecular Formula: C20H15N2NaO7S2
Molecular Weight: 482.46
EINECS Number: 222-657-4

Synonyms: Carmoisine, 3567-69-9, Chromotrope FB, Acid red 14, C.I. Acid Red 14, Azo Rubine, Azorubin, C.I. 14720, Acid Rubine, Brilliant Crimson Red, Poloxal Red 2B, C.I. Food Red 3, CI Acid Red, Carmoisin [German], Karmesin, Nacarat, Nacarat (VAN), Carmoisine ba, Carmoisine bss, Carmoisine fu, Carmoisine ws, Carmoisin, Carmoisine S, Carmoisine supra, Carmoisine W, Solar Rubine, Chromotrop FB, CI Food Red 3, HD Carmoisine, Azo rubine af, Carmoisine GRN, Carmoisine LAS, Omega Chrome Blue FB, Azo Rubin Extra, Cilefa Rubine R, Acetacid Red B, Kiton Rubine R, Crimson EMBL, Erio Rubine B, Java Rubine N, Azo rubin XX, Eurocert Azorubine, Fenazo Red C, Hexacol Carmoisine, Nacarat A Export, Nacarat Extra Pure 1A, Azo Rubine LZ, Azo Rubine XX, Neklacid rubine W, Tertracid Red CA, Acid Rubine Extra, Airedale carmoisine, Hispacid Rubine F, Pontacyl Rubine R, C.I. Acid Red 14, Disodium Salt, Carmoisine BA-CF, Crimson 2EMBL, Kiton Crimson 2R, Bucacid Azo Rubine, Hidacid Azo Rubine, Standacol carmoisine, Amacid carmoisine B, Brilliant Carmoisine, Calcocid Rubine XX, Solochrome Blue FB, Acid Fast Red FB, Azo rubine extra lc, Cerven kysela 14, Kenachrome Blue 2R, Acid Red 2C, Food Red 5, Azo Rubine (50% Dye content);1-Naphthalenesulfonicacid, 4-hydroxy-3-[2-(4-sulfo-1-naphthalenyl)diazenyl]-, sodiuM salt (1:2);ChroMe becoMes priMe FB;PONTACYL RUBINE R;MORDANT BLUE 79;CI 14720 Acid red 14;Disodium 4-hydroxy-3-[(4-sulfo-1-naphthalenyl)azo]-1-naphthalenesulfonate;11959red

Azorubine, also known as Carmoisine or E122, is a synthetic red azo dye that is commonly used as a food colorant to give a bright red or pink hue to various processed products. 
It belongs to the class of azo compounds, which are characterized by their nitrogen–nitrogen double bond (–N=N–) linking aromatic rings, a structure that contributes to its vivid coloration.
This dye is highly water-soluble, which makes it especially useful in beverages, candies, desserts, jams, jellies, sauces, and other water-based food products where even distribution of color is desired. 

In addition to food applications, Azorubine is also utilized in pharmaceuticals, such as tablets and syrups, and in cosmetics like lipsticks and blush, due to its strong pigmenting properties.
Although it is permitted for use in many countries, including those in the European Union, its usage is regulated and must comply with established safety limits.

Azorubine is an organic molecular entity.
Reddish-brown crystals or dark maroon powder.
Can be explosive as a dust in air at certain concentrations moderately soluble in water.

Azorubine, also known as carmoisine, is an azo dye consisting of two naphthalene subunits.
Azorubine is a red solid. 
It is mainly used in foods that are heat-treated after fermentation. 

Azorubine has E number E122.
Dark red powder, soluble in water, but soluble in ethanol red solution, slightly soluble in acetone. 
In a purple color of sulfuric acid, and it will dilute to product red precipitate; Nitric acid in deep red, turn red after yellow. 

Its water solution and strong hydrochloric acid red; Add sodium hydroxide fluid shows red orange brown. 
Dyeing copper ions in slightly dark color. 
Mainly used in strong acid dye in bath dyeing wool, wool fabrics can be in silk fabric, polyamide fiber and printing. 

The Barium salt can be used as organic pigment use. 
Also can be used in the manufacture color amylum, ink and used for leather, paper, soap, wood, electrical-controlled silver, medicine, biology and cosmetics shading.
Azorubine is a water soluble synthetic dye. 

Exhibits good light fastness Azorubine is available in the form of red powder. 
Azorubine is used in decorative cosmetics. 
Azorubine meets purity criteria and characteristics set by EC Food Directive 2008/128/EC.

Azorubine, also known by other names such as Carmoisine, Acid Red 14, or C.I. 14720, is a synthetically produced azo dye that is primarily used to impart a red to maroon coloration in a variety of commercial products. 
In terms of its chemical identity, Azorubine is usually found as a disodium salt of a sulfonated aromatic azo compound, making it highly soluble in water and particularly suitable for use in liquid and semi-liquid foodstuffs. 

Melting point: 254-257 °C
Boiling point: 907.49 °C [at 101 325 Pa]
Flash point: >225 °C
storage temp.: Amber Vial, Refrigerator
solubility: DMSO (Slightly, Heated), Methanol (Slightly), Water (Slightly)
Colour Index: 14720
form: Solid
color: Red brown
Odor: Odorless
Water Solubility: Soluble in water
λmax: 383 nm, 515 nm (2nd)
ε (extinction coefficient): ≥14500 at 513–519 nm in H₂O at 0.03 g/L
 ≥33000 at 214–220 nm in H₂O at 0.03 g/L
 ≥9000 at 320–326 nm in H₂O at 0.03 g/L
Stability: Light sensitive
LogP: -0.001

Azorubine is a synthetic azo dye that has been widely used since the mid-20th century to provide a vivid red color to a broad range of consumer products. 
Its chemical structure is based on azo linkages, which connect aromatic rings and confer a high degree of stability and intense color. 
This molecular configuration allows Azorubine to maintain its vibrant hue even when exposed to heat, light, and varying pH levels, making it especially valuable in industrial food processing and cosmetic manufacturing where products undergo various conditions.

Due to its excellent water solubility as a disodium salt, Azorubine dissolves readily in aqueous solutions, ensuring uniform coloration in beverages, gels, and other water-rich foodstuffs. 
This property also facilitates its use in pharmaceutical formulations, where precise dosing and consistent appearance are essential for patient acceptance and compliance.
This dye is commonly added to processed foods and beverages, including soft drinks, flavored yogurts, jelly desserts, confectionery, canned fruits, and sauces, to create or enhance visual appeal. 

Azorubine is also widely employed in cosmetics (such as lip products and eyeshadows), personal care products (like bath soaps), and medicinal preparations (such as colored tablets and syrups) to make products more attractive or to differentiate between different formulations.
Regulatory authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and Codex Alimentarius permit its use in specified quantities, and in Europe, it is labeled as E122. 
However, Azorubine is not approved for use in foods in the United States, where the FDA has stricter regulations on synthetic dyes. 

This discrepancy stems from differences in safety evaluation approaches between regulatory bodies.
Azorubine is most commonly found in products such as soft drinks, fruit-flavored syrups, candies, bakery items, and dairy products like yogurts and desserts. 
In cosmetics, it is used in lipsticks, blushes, and body washes to create attractive shades of red and pink. 

Furthermore, it serves a role in some textile and leather dyeing processes, although its primary applications remain within the food and personal care industries.
Although regulatory agencies around the world have evaluated Azorubine’s safety profile extensively, opinions on its use vary. 
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for Azorubine, deeming it safe when consumed within regulated limits. 

Nevertheless, some studies have suggested potential hypersensitivity reactions or behavioral effects in sensitive individuals, such as children with hyperactivity, though conclusive evidence remains debated. 
Due to such concerns, certain countries, including the United States, have not approved Azorubine for use in food products.

Azorubine must be clearly labeled with its E number or chemical name to inform consumers, allowing those who wish to avoid synthetic dyes to make informed choices. 
Increasing consumer demand for natural alternatives has prompted some manufacturers to seek plant-based or naturally derived colorants, but synthetic dyes like Azorubine remain popular due to their cost-effectiveness and stability.

Uses:
Azorubine is an synthetic red food dye and is used for the purposes where food is heat-treated after fermentation.
In the US, this color was listed in 1939 as Ext. D&C Red No. 10 for use in externally applied drugs and cosmetics. 
Azorubine was delisted in 1963 because no party was interested in supporting the studies needed to establish safety. 

Azorubine was not used in food in the US.
In the EU, azorubine is known as E number E122, and is authorized for use in certain foods and beverages, such as cheeses, dried fruit, and some alcoholic beverages, and is permitted for use as an excipient in medications.
There are no provisions for azorubine in the Codex Alimentarius.

Azorubine is primarily used as a synthetic red food coloring agent to enhance the visual appeal of a wide range of edible products, especially those where a bright, stable red hue is desired. It is commonly added to beverages such as fruit-flavored drinks, soft drinks, and syrups, where its high water solubility allows it to blend evenly, producing an attractive and consistent coloration throughout the liquid. Additionally, Azorubine is frequently used in confectionery items like candies, jellies, and chewing gums to provide a vibrant red or pink color that appeals to consumers, particularly children.

Beyond food applications, Azorubine is also employed in the pharmaceutical industry to color tablets, capsules, and liquid medicines, helping to distinguish different medications and improve patient compliance by making products more recognizable and visually pleasant. 
In cosmetics, it serves as a coloring agent in lipsticks, blushes, and other personal care products, contributing to the product’s aesthetic qualities and marketability.

Moreover, Azorubine is used in some industrial applications such as textile and leather dyeing, although this is less common compared to its food and cosmetic uses. 
The dye’s stability under various conditions—such as heat, light exposure, and acidic or basic environments—makes it particularly valuable in manufacturing processes where products may undergo rigorous treatment.
Azorubine’s broad utility is largely due to its intense coloration, water solubility, and chemical stability, which allow it to be used across diverse industries to enhance the appearance and appeal of many consumer goods. 

However, its use is regulated to ensure safety and proper labeling, especially in food and pharmaceuticals.
Azorubine’s primary application lies in the food industry, where it is valued for its ability to impart a vivid, stable red color to a wide array of processed food products. 
Azorubine is extensively used in beverages such as fruit juices, carbonated soft drinks, and flavored syrups, where its excellent water solubility ensures that the dye disperses uniformly, providing an appealing and consistent red or pink hue that attracts consumers and enhances the product’s marketability. 

Moreover, Azorubine finds application in confectionery products, including candies, gummies, jellies, and chewing gums, where its bright coloration makes the treats visually enticing, especially to children and young consumers.
In addition to food products, Azorubine is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations, particularly in coloring tablets, capsules, and liquid medicines. 
Its use in this sector helps in distinguishing different medications, aiding patient adherence by making pills easier to identify and more visually appealing, which can improve the overall effectiveness of treatment regimens. 

Azorubine’s chemical stability under various storage conditions, including exposure to light and temperature changes, ensures that the color remains intact throughout the product’s shelf life.
The cosmetic industry also leverages Azorubine as a colorant in products such as lipsticks, blushes, and other makeup items, where it contributes to attractive color shades that enhance product appeal and consumer satisfaction. 

Furthermore, Azorubine is sometimes used in personal care products like bath soaps and body washes to impart color and improve user experience.
Azorubine’s extensive use across different industries is largely due to its intense coloration, ease of solubility, and remarkable stability, which make it a versatile and valuable coloring agent. However, its application is subject to regulatory restrictions and labeling requirements to ensure consumer safety and transparency.

Safety Profile:
Azorubine, while widely used as a synthetic dye, carries certain hazards and potential health concerns that have been studied extensively. 
Prolonged or excessive exposure to Azorubine may lead to adverse reactions in sensitive individuals, including allergic responses such as skin rashes, itching, and urticaria (hives). 
Some reports have suggested that ingestion of foods containing Azorubine could provoke hypersensitivity or intolerance reactions, particularly in children and individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions, although these effects are relatively rare and not conclusively proven.

Furthermore, there is ongoing debate regarding the potential behavioral effects of Azorubine and other synthetic azo dyes on children, especially concerning hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders. 
Some studies have indicated a possible link between consumption of artificial food colorants and increased hyperactivity symptoms in susceptible children, prompting regulatory bodies in some regions to recommend caution or require warning labels on products containing such dyes.

Azorubine has shown no evidence of mutagenic or carcinogenic properties and an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0–4 mg/kg was established in 1983 by the WHO.
In rare instances, it may cause skin and respiratory allergic reactions even to FDA approved dosages.

No evidence supports broad claims that food coloring causes food intolerance and ADHD-like behavior in children.
Azorubine is possible that certain food coloring may act as a trigger in those who are genetically predisposed, but the evidence is weak.