Brown HT, or Chocolate Brown HT, is a synthetic coal-tar diazo dye used as a brown food coloring agent.
Brown HT acts as a substitute for cocoa or caramel in bakery products, yogurts, cheeses, and snacks.
Brown HT is permitted in the EU but banned in several countries, including the USA.
CAS Number: 4553-89-3
Molecular Formula: C27H18N4Na2O9S2
Molecular Weight: 652.56276
EINECS Number: 224-924-0
Synonyms: 1538 Brown;C.I.20285;Certicol Brown N Extra;Cetricol Brown RS;disodium 4,4'-[[2,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-phenylene]bis(azo)]bisnaphthalene-1-sulphonate;Disodium-4,4-(2,4-Dihydroxy-5-HydroxyMethyl-1,3-PhenyleneBisazo)-Di(Naphthalene-1-Sulfonate);Brown HT;1-Naphthalenesulfonic acid, 4,4-2,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-phenylenebis(azo)bis-, disodium salt
Brown HT, also called Chocolate Brown HT, Food Brown 3, and C.I. 20285, is a brown synthetic coal tar diazo dye.
When used as a food dye, its E number is E155.
Brown HT is used to substitute cocoa or caramel as a colorant.
Brown HT is used mainly in chocolate cakes, but can also be found in desserts, cookies, candy, cheeses, teas, yogurts, jams, chocolate drinks, ice creams, fruit products, fish, wafers, breakfast cereals, and other products.
Brown HT, also known as Food Brown 3, E155, or Chocolate Brown HT, is a synthetic food colorant commonly used in the food and beverage industry to give a brown or caramel-like hue to products such as sauces, gravies, desserts, and confectionery items.
It is produced for commercial use through chemical synthesis, typically starting with the reaction between a diazonium salt and an aromatic compound containing hydroxyl or amino groups.
Brown HT is a synthetic azo dye, widely used as a food colorant to provide brown coloration in various products.
Brown HTs chemical formula is approximately C₂₇H₁₈N₄Na₂O₉S₂.
It belongs to the class of sulfonated azo dyes.
Chemically, Brown HT contains azo (–N=N–) linkages connecting aromatic rings, along with sulfonate groups that increase water solubility.
These conjugated systems are responsible for its color.
Brown HT is a typical synthetic food dye structure.
Physically, Brown HT appears as a brown to dark reddish-brown powder.
Brown HT is highly soluble in water, forming colored solutions.
It is stable under normal conditions.
Brown HT exhibits strong coloring properties, producing brown shades in food and beverages.
Brown HT is effective at low concentrations.
This enhances visual appearance.
Brown HT is chemically stable under normal storage conditions, but may degrade under strong light, heat, or extreme pH.
Brown HT maintains color in many formulations.
Proper storage is recommended.
Brown HT is used in food, beverages, and some industrial applications as a colorant.
Its use is regulated in many regions.
This highlights its controlled application.
Brown HT is best described as a water-soluble synthetic azo dye used for brown coloration, particularly in food and beverage products.
Brown HT exhibits good compatibility with other food colorants, allowing it to be blended to achieve specific shades of brown.
It is often combined with yellow, red, or blue dyes.
This enables precise color tuning.
The dye shows uniform dispersion in aqueous systems, forming clear and stable colored solutions.
Brown HT does not require emulsification.
This simplifies formulation.
Brown HT demonstrates resistance to microbial degradation, maintaining color stability during product shelf life.
It remains effective over time.
This supports long-term storage.
Brown HT may interact with metal ions or formulation ingredients, which can slightly alter color tone.
Chelating agents are sometimes used to stabilize color.
Melting point: >300 °C
Density: 0.816 [at 20℃]
vapor pressure: 0 Pa at 25℃
storage temp.: Hygroscopic, Refrigerator, Under inert atmosphere
solubility: DMSO (Slightly, Heated, Sonicated), Methanol (Slightly)
form: Solid
color: Pale Brown to Black
Water Solubility: 99.418 g/L at 25℃
Stability: Hygroscopic
LogP: 4.496 at 25℃
Brown HT is a bis-azo dye that occurs as a brown powder or granules.
Brown HT is principally the disodium salt of 4,4′-(2,4-dihydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-1,3-phenylene-bisazo) di-1-naphthalene-sulfonate and subsidiary coloring matters with sodium chloride and/or sodium sulfate as the principal uncolored components.
Brown HT may be converted to the corresponding aluminum lake.
Brown HT is an artificial food coloring with a brow hue.
Brown HT has a CAS number of 4553-89-3 and is water soluble. Brown HT is used in the food and beverage industry.
Brown HT is a bis-azo dye, meaning it contains two azo (–N=N–) linkages within its structure.
This increases the extent of conjugation.
Brown HT results in deeper, more intense brown coloration.
The molecule includes aromatic rings with sulfonate (–SO₃⁻) groups, which enhance water solubility.
This allows easy use in aqueous systems.
Brown HT is suitable for beverages and liquid products.
Brown HT exhibits high tinctorial strength, meaning small amounts can produce strong color.
This makes it efficient in formulations.
Brown HT reduces required dosage.
The dye shows good stability across a range of pH conditions, especially in neutral to mildly acidic environments.
This supports use in many food products.
Brown HT maintains consistent color.
Brown HT can interact with proteins and other formulation components, sometimes affecting shade or stability.
Formulation conditions influence final color.
This requires optimization.
Brown HT may undergo photodegradation or breakdown under strong light or heat, leading to fading or color change.
Brown HT is often stored in light-protective conditions.
This preserves performance.
As an azo dye, it can undergo reductive cleavage under certain conditions, potentially forming aromatic amines.
This is important in safety evaluation.
Brown HT is regulated accordingly.
The compound is typically used in regulated concentrations, depending on regional food safety standards.
Its use may be restricted or banned in some countries.
This reflects regulatory control.
Overall, Brown HT is a highly efficient, water-soluble synthetic azo dye with strong coloring power and formulation-dependent stability, used under strict regulatory guidelines.
The compound is typically supplied in powder or granulated form, and sometimes as standardized solutions.
This allows flexible handling and dosing.
It supports industrial use.
Brown HT is often used in controlled manufacturing environments, where precise dosing and mixing are required.
This ensures consistent product quality.
Brown HT is important for large-scale production.
Its performance can vary depending on processing conditions such as heat treatment, pH, and light exposure.
These factors influence stability and shade.
This requires careful formulation control.
Due to regulatory considerations, it is frequently used in specific markets or applications where permitted, with strict limits on concentration.
Compliance with regulations is essential.
Brown HT is a formulation-flexible, high-intensity synthetic dye with stable performance in aqueous systems, used under regulated conditions to achieve consistent brown coloration.
Uses:
Brown HT is a synthetic organic food colourant, and a long-term carcinogen.
Brown HT is used in the food industry as a colorant (E155) to provide brown shades in various products.
It enhances visual appearance.
This improves consumer appeal.
In soft drinks and flavored beverages, it is used to achieve stable brown coloration.
Brown HT disperses easily in aqueous systems.
Brown HT is applied in confectionery products, such as candies and sweets.
It provides consistent brown tones.
This improves product presentation.
Brown HT is used in bakery products, including cakes, biscuits, and pastries.
Brown HT enhances the appearance of baked goods.
This supports visual quality.
In sauces, gravies, and condiments, it is used to standardize color.
Brown HT helps achieve a rich brown look.
This improves product consistency.
Brown HT is applied in desserts and puddings to provide appealing coloration.
It maintains stability during storage.
This enhances product quality.
Brown HT is used in processed and convenience foods to maintain consistent color after processing.
It compensates for color variations.
This improves uniformity.
In pet food and animal feed, it may be used to improve visual appearance.
Brown HT enhances product attractiveness.
This supports marketability.
Brown HT is also used in industrial and research applications where controlled brown coloration is required.
It helps in formulation studies.
Brown HT is used wherever stable brown coloration in aqueous and processed systems is required, especially in beverages, confectionery, bakery, and convenience foods, under regulated conditions.
Brown HT is used in instant beverages and powdered drink mixes to provide a consistent brown color upon reconstitution.
It dissolves easily in water.
This ensures uniform appearance.
In ready-to-eat meals and packaged foods, it helps maintain color after heat processing and storage.
Brown HT compensates for natural color loss.
This improves product appeal.
It is applied in flavored syrups and dessert toppings, where stable brown coloration is required.
Brown HT provides consistent visual quality.
This enhances presentation.
Brown HT is used in seasoning blends and dry mixes, especially those intended to produce brown sauces or gravies when prepared.
Brown HT contributes to expected color outcomes.
This improves user experience.
In processed snack coatings, it is used to create uniform brown tones on surfaces.
It enhances visual attractiveness.
This supports product consistency.
It is applied in low-cost or mass-produced food products, where consistent color is critical for branding.
It provides reliable and reproducible results.
This supports industrial efficiency.
Brown HT is used in export-oriented food products where long shelf life and color stability are required.
It maintains appearance during transport.
This supports global distribution.
In quality control and formulation development, it is used to study color stability and interactions with other ingredients.
Brown HT serves as a reference dye.
This supports research work.
It may also be used in non-food industrial applications where water-soluble brown coloration is needed.
It provides stable and uniform color.
Brown HT is used wherever consistent, stable brown coloration in aqueous and processed systems is required, particularly in large-scale and regulated food and industrial applications.
Safety Profile:
Brown HT presents moderate hazards, mainly due to its nature as a synthetic azo dye, which may have toxicological and sensitization concerns depending on exposure and regulatory limits.
Brown HTs use is strictly regulated in many regions.
Careful handling is required.
Skin contact may cause mild irritation or sensitization in some individuals.
Prolonged exposure may lead to redness or allergic reactions.
Protective gloves are recommended in industrial handling.
Eye contact can cause irritation.
Symptoms include redness, watering, and discomfort.
Eyes should be rinsed thoroughly with water if exposure occurs.
Inhalation of dust may cause respiratory irritation.
Fine particles can irritate the nose and throat.
Adequate ventilation and dust control are important.
Ingestion is regulated, and excessive intake may pose health concerns.
Some azo dyes can be metabolized into aromatic amines under certain conditions.
This is why usage limits are enforced.
Brown HT is not highly flammable, but it can burn at high temperatures as an organic compound.
Thermal decomposition may produce toxic fumes, including nitrogen oxides and aromatic compounds.