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Indigo Carmine is a water-soluble dye typically used as a coloring agent in food, beverages, and medicines, as well as in some cosmetics and personal care products.
It has a deep blue color and is classified as a synthetic organic dye.
CAS Number: 860-22-0
Synonyms:,Acid Blue 74,CI 73015,Indigo Carmine (colorant),5,5'-indigo-Disulfonic acid, sodium salt
Introduction
Definition and Overview: A brief explanation of what E 132 Indigo Carmine is, emphasizing its function as a synthetic blue dye used in various industries.
Mention its place in food and drug regulation, including its designation as a food colorant and its E number.
Historical Background: Tracing the origins of Indigo Carmine, starting from the discovery of indigo as a dye, to the synthesis of its modern form.
Discuss the development of synthetic colorants and their impact on the global food and textile industries.
Significance: The importance of Indigo Carmine in the context of food and beverages, as well as other commercial uses, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and textiles.
Chemical Properties
Chemical Structure: Provide a detailed chemical structure of Indigo Carmine, noting the molecular arrangement of atoms and bonds. Include the molecular formula: C16H8N2Na2O8S2.
Physical Properties: Description of Indigo Carmine's appearance (a blue dye), its solubility in water, and other physical properties like melting point, boiling point, and stability under various conditions.
Molecular Properties: Examination of how the dye behaves chemically, including its ionization in different pH environments and its ability to bind to other molecules.
Synthesis and Production
Synthesis: Detailed explanation of how Indigo Carmine is synthesized from raw materials.
Discuss the chemical reactions involved, such as the synthesis of indigo dye and subsequent modification to form Indigo Carmine.
Raw Materials: A description of the chemicals and resources used in its production, such as indole, sodium hydroxide, and sulfur compounds.
Manufacturing Process: Step-by-step guide on the manufacturing process, including the preparation of intermediates, purification, and final dye production. Mention industrial scale-up processes and optimization for commercial use.
Applications
Food and Beverages: Discussion on the role of Indigo Carmine as a food colorant (E 132) in various products such as candies, drinks, ice cream, and baked goods.
Mention specific regulations regarding its permitted usage and the acceptable limits set by food safety authorities.
Pharmaceuticals: The use of Indigo Carmine in tablets, capsules, and liquid medicines as a coloring agent. Explain its importance in making pharmaceutical products visually identifiable.
Cosmetics: Highlight the applications of Indigo Carmine in cosmetics such as skincare products, makeup, and body paints, including safety standards for cosmetic use.
Other Uses: Extend the discussion to other industrial applications of Indigo Carmine, including textiles, ink, and as a dye for biological research (e.g., in cell staining).
Regulatory Status
Global Regulation: Discuss the regulatory approval process of Indigo Carmine in different countries, such as the European Union (E 132), the United States (FDA regulations), and other regions.
Safety Guidelines: Mention acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels set by regulatory bodies like the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and the FDA. Include relevant safety certifications.
Bans and Restrictions: Overview of countries where Indigo Carmine is banned or restricted, detailing the reasons for such regulations, often due to concerns about potential side effects or toxicological findings.
Environmental Impact
Environmental Persistence: Discuss the potential environmental impacts of Indigo Carmine, particularly how it behaves in water bodies and its ability to persist in ecosystems.
Degradation and Biodegradability: Explore the biodegradability of the compound, including studies on how it decomposes in natural environments, and how it might accumulate or impact local ecosystems.
Waste Management: Discuss proper disposal methods for industrial waste containing Indigo Carmine, including techniques like waste treatment or recycling options, to minimize its environmental footprint.
Alternative Colorants
Natural vs Synthetic: Compare Indigo Carmine with natural colorants (e.g., anthocyanins, spirulina) and other synthetic blue dyes (e.g., Brilliant Blue FCF).
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each, such as cost, stability, and safety profiles.
Emerging Alternatives: Explore new innovations in the field of colorants, such as genetically engineered dyes, biodegradable options, or plant-based substitutes that could replace synthetic dyes like Indigo Carmine.
Trends in the Colorant Industry: Discuss trends such as the growing demand for natural and sustainable colorants and the potential impact of regulatory changes on the future of synthetic dyes.
Future Directions
Advances in Production: Examine new developments in the production methods of Indigo Carmine, such as more efficient or environmentally friendly synthesis processes. Consider the potential for biotechnology or green chemistry approaches in dye manufacturing.
Research on Health Effects: Discuss ongoing research into the potential health effects of long-term exposure to synthetic dyes and the development of better safety protocols.
Market Trends: Analyze the future market for Indigo Carmine, considering the rise of natural alternatives, changing regulations, and consumer demand for transparency in food ingredients and cosmetic products.
Innovative Applications: Speculate on new applications for Indigo Carmine, such as in personalized medicine, advanced food coloring technologies, or sustainable textiles.
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT E 132 INDIGO CARMINE
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
