E127 (ERYTHROSINE)

E127 (Erythrosine), also known as Red No. 3, is an organoiodine compound, specifically a derivative of fluorone. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is cherry-pink synthetic, primarily used for food coloring. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is the disodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetraiodofluorescein
E127 (Erythrosine) is an artificial red or cherry-pink food colouring made from coal tar.

CAS Number: 16423-68-0
EC Number: 240-474-8
IUPAC Name: 3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodospiro[2-benzofuran-3,9'-xanthene]-1-one
Chemical Formula: C20H8I4O5

Other names: Tetraiodofluorescein, Solvent Red 140, Erythrosine acid, ERYTHROSINE, 2',4',5',7'-Tetraiodofluorescein, 3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodospiro[2-benzofuran-3,9'-xanthene]-1-one, 1A878FZQ9B, Spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-[9H]xanthen]-3-one, 3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-, ERYTHROSINE J, FD and C Red No. 3, NSC-328781, NSC-4905, NSC328781, Spiro(isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-(9H)xanthen)-3-one, 3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-, CI 45430:2, C.I. 45430:2, 3',6'-Dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodospiro(isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-(9H)xanthene)-3-one, FD & C red no. 3, 3',6'-DIHYDROXY-2',4',5',7'-TETRAIODO-3H-SPIRO(2-BENZOFURAN-1,9'-XANTHEN)-3-ONE, 3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-3H-spiro[2-benzofuran-1,9'-xanthen]-3-one, 3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodospiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-[9H]xanthene]-3-one, 3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodospiro(2-benzofuran-3,9'-xanthene)-1-one, CI Food Red 14, FDC Red No. 3, Spiro(isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-(9H)xanthen)-3-one, 3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-, disodium salt, Spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-[9H]xanthen]-3-one, 3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-, disodium salt, 1590-32-5, erythrosine [fcc], erythrosine [mi], erythrosine [who-dd], Erythrosin B, 15905-32-5, Iodeosin, Erythrosine, phenolic, 2,4,5,7-Erythrosin, E127, Erythrosine B (free acid), C.I. Solvent Red 140, DTXSID7044843, NCGC00166249-02, Food Red No. 3, C.I. Food Red 14, DTXCID1024207, 3',6'-Dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-3H-spiro[isobenzofuran-1,9'-xanthen]-3-one, SMR000857151, CAS-15905-32-5, C20H8I4O5, EINECS 240-046-0, NSC 328781, BRN 0062817, UNII-1A878FZQ9B, Fluoresceins, Iodoeosine, Felumin, Ceplac, Trace, Dianthine B, Iodeosine B, Pyrosine B, Tetrajodfluorescein, Spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'-[9h]xanthen]-3-one,3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-, E127 Erythrosine, Tetraiodofluoresceuin, Erythrosin Free Acid, 2,5,7-Erythrosin, tetra-iodo-fluorescein, Cogilor orange 211.10, Cogilor orange 312.42, Fluorescein, 2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo- (VAN), 2,5,7-Tetraiodofluorescein, SCHEMBL25042, 4-19-00-02923 (Beilstein Handbook Reference), MLS001332405, MLS001332406, Red 1427, Solvent red 140; Iodoeosine, CHEMBL1332616, 2',5',7'-Tetraiodofluorescein, 2, 4,5,7-Tetraiodofluorescein, Fluorescein,4',5',7'-tetraiodo-, Tox21_113464, Tox21_301634, BDBM50542241, Erythrosin B, Dye content >=95 %, HB0759, STL453505, AKOS015903873, Tox21_113464_1, FE47102, Solvent Red 140; Tetraiodofluorescein, SMP2_000049, NCGC00166249-01, NCGC00166249-03, NCGC00256240-01, AS-74205, HY-107864, CS-0030748, NS00005678, T0124, D92303, Q420101, Solvent Red 140; Tetraiodofluoresceuin; Erythrosine, Spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H), 3',6'-dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodo-, 3',6'-Dihydroxy-2',4',5',7'-tetraiodospiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),9'(9H)-xanthen]-3-one, 9CI

E127 (Erythrosine) is predominantly used as a food Colours. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is used to colour products like canned fruit, candy, pistachios, popsicles, maraschino cherries, cake decorating gels, and toothpaste.
E127 (Erythrosine) is a synthetic red dye used primarily to color food. 
Since dyes and additives must be listed on packaging in many countries, consumers may note that E127 (Erythrosine) can also be called FD&C No. Red 3, E 127, Red 14, or by its chemical name, disodium 2 (2,4,5,7-tetraiodo- 3-oxido- 6- oxoxanthen-9-yl) benzoate monohydrate. 

Although E127 (Erythrosine) is allowed in many countries, there are often reservations about E127 (Erythrosine)s safety.
E127 (Erythrosine), C20H6I4O5 is a reddish-pink synthetic dye. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is most popularly used as a food coloring agent and a host of other applications such as printing inks, a dental plaque disclosing agent, a biological stain and a radiopaque medium.
E127 (Erythrosine) is used drugs and cosmetics, cocktails, tinned fruits, biscuits, chocolate, dressed crabs, garlic sausage, luncheon meat, salmon spread pate, scotch eggs, stuffed olives, sweets, bakery and snack foods.

E127 (Erythrosine), also known as Red No. 3, is an organoiodine compound, specifically a derivative of fluorone. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is a pink dye which is primarily used for food coloring.
E127 (Erythrosine) is the disodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetraiodofluorescein. 
E127 (Erythrosine)s maximum absorbance is at 530 nm in an aqueous solution, and it is subject to photodegradation.

E127 (Erythrosine) is used as a:
food coloring.
printing ink.
biological stain.
dental plaque disclosing agent.
radiopaque medium.

sensitizer for orthochromatic photographic films.
Visible light photoredox catalyst.
E127 (Erythrosine) is commonly used in sweets such as some candies and popsicles, and even more widely used in cake-decorating gels. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is also used to color pistachio shells.
As a food additive, E127 (Erythrosine) has the E number E127.

The E number for E127 (Erythrosine) is 127.
Other common red food colours include Allura Red (E number 129) and Amaranth (E number 123).

E127 (Erythrosine) (FD&C Red No. 3) is widely used as a coloring agent for foods, beverages, pharmaceutical preparations, and cosmetics. 
E127 (Erythrosine) has been evaluated for acceptable daily intake by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives in 1964, 1969 and 1974. 
At the 18th Meeting (1974) of the Committee, an ADI of 0 - 2.5 mg/kg body weight was allocated. 
Toxicological monographs, were published in 1970 and 1975.

Since the previous evaluation, additional data have become available and are summarized and discussed in the following monograph.
The previously published monographs have been expanded and are reproduced in their entirety below.

E127 (Erythrosine) (C20H8I4O5) is commonly referred to as red dye #3. 
FDA has regulatory oversight for color additives used in foods, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices. 
Red Dye #3 can be used in food and drugs per the FDA. 
According to the FDA, FD&C Red No.3 may be safely used for coloring foods generally (including dietary supplements) in amounts consistent with good manufacturing practice. 

Red Dye #3 is commonly used to color maraschino cherries. 
FD&C Red No. 3 is a synthetic dye with a cherry-pink stain. 
In foods E127 (Erythrosine) is used to dye cake decorating gel, candies and popsicles, among other food items. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is an azo dye, and due to this fact has been replaced with Red #40 (Allura Red), but can still be found in use in the food industry. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is also used as color additive for ingested drugs. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is not listed as approved for use in cosmetics.

E127 (Erythrosine) is principally the monohydrate of 9 (o-carboxyphenyl)-6-hydroxy2,4,5,7-tetraiodo-3H-xanthen-3-one, disodium salt, with smaller amounts of lower imidinated fluoresceins. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is a bluish pink dye that lends a pink shade to applications.
E127 (Erythrosine) most commonly is used to color food. 
Jarred cherries, such as maraschino cherries, are often colored with E127 (Erythrosine). 
Other foods that are colored with this synthetic dye include cake icing, colored pistachio shells, lunch meat, hot dogs, pâté, and salmon spread. 

E127 (Erythrosine) is also used in dental tablets that leave a red residue behind on teeth to indicate areas of plaque build-up. 
While commonly used in many countries of the world, E127 (Erythrosine) is less commonly used in the United States because Allura Red AC (Red #40) is generally used instead. 
E127 (Erythrosine) provides a watermelon-red color when used in foods and pharmaceuticals. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is used to color dietary supplements, confections, beverages, cereals, ice cream cones, frozen dairy desserts, popsicles, frostings and icings, baked goods, dried fruit, frozen breakfast foods, and processed foods (fish, meat and egg products).

The chemical formula for xanthene is C13H100, meaning there are 13 carbon atoms, 10 hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom. 
There are two sets of thought when E127 (Erythrosine) comes to E127 (Erythrosine): E127 (Erythrosine) should be used or E127 (Erythrosine) should not be used. 
People who claim that E127 (Erythrosine) is beneficial say that E127 (Erythrosine) colors items better than other red dyes. 

Consequently, E127 (Erythrosine) takes less E127 (Erythrosine) to develop a richly colored product than E127 (Erythrosine) would take of other red dyes. 
The theory continues that less dye is better, so E127 (Erythrosine) is better. 
In addition, proponents may point out that E127 (Erythrosine) is one of the few kosher red dyes. 
Others point out that E127 (Erythrosine) may cause negative side effects. 
Specifically, research studies have shown E127 (Erythrosine) may have a negative effect on the thyroid gland in animals, and E127 (Erythrosine) may create sensitivity to light. 

E127 (Erythrosine) is an artificial red (cherry-pink) food colouring made from coal tar.  
E127 (Erythrosine) is an organic compound containing iodine and sodium.  
E127 (Erythrosine) is also commonly referred to as red dye #3.

You might also hear E127 (Erythrosine) referred to as a xanthene dye.  
Xanthene dyes are a group of brilliant fluorescent dyes ranging in colour from yellow to pink to bluish red.  
They are called xanthene dyes because they all contain a xanthene molecule as their base.  
To see what this means, lets look at a xanthene molecule.  
In addition, dyes in food have been linked to hyperactivity in children.

Each country is handling the dye in a different manner. 
In Australia and New Zealand, the chemical traditionally was only used in preserved cherries; however, there was a large push to allow E127 (Erythrosine)s use in candies and cookies. 
The debate is on-going in those countries. 
In South Africa, E127 (Erythrosine) was used in Strawberry Nesquick, but those products were removed from the stores in the 1990s and the dye can now only be used in meats, preserved cherries, and icing. 
In the United Kingdom, retailer ASDA announced in 2007 that E127 (Erythrosine) would remove the dye from its private label products.

Common Uses:
E127 (Erythrosine) is primarily used as a food dye. 
Some of the more common applications include:
cocktail and candied cherries (Maraschino cherries)
candies
popsicles
cake decorating gels
used to colour pistachio shells

E127 (Erythrosine) (FD&C red no. 3) is one the best characterized chemicals that acts as a 5′-deiodinase inhibitor and results in perturbations of thyroid function. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is a tetraiodinated derivative of fluorescein, with iodine accounting for ~58% of the molecular weight. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is a red dye used widely as a color additive in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. 
Amiodarone is an organic iodinated antiarrhythmic compound that also disrupts thyroid hormone economy by inhibiting 5′-deiodinase. 

Iopanoic acid and flavonoids also inhibit the enzyme in hepatocytes.
E127 (Erythrosine) alters the peripheral metabolism of T4. 
Inhibition of 5′-deiodinase in the liver and kidney by E127 (Erythrosine) causes lower circulating T3 levels. 
This results in accumulation of inactive reverse T3. 
The lowered circulating levels of T3 causes increased secretion of TSH from the pituitary and stimulation of thyroid follicular cells.

Description
A brown powder that forms a cherry red synthetic dye solution with water. 
First discovered in 1876 by Kussamaul, E127 (Erythrosine) is an iodinate derivative of Fluorescein. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is used as a direct dye on Wool and Silk. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is also used in inks, lacquers, cosmetics, and as a lake pigment. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is not colorfast in sunlight.

Other Properties
Soluble in water, ethanol. 
An aqueous solution of E127 (Erythrosine) will form a yellow-brown precipitate when drops of HCl are added and a red precipitate when drops of NaOH solution are added.

In addition, E127 (Erythrosine) is often used by the printing industry for some varieties of red or cherry-pink inks.
Dye used in food and feed additives. Prohibited in U.S.A. and Norway [DFC] E127 (Erythrosine), also known as Red No. 3, is a cherry-pink synthetic fluorone food coloring. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is the disodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetraiodofluorescein. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is commonly used in sweets such as some candies and popsicles, and even more widely used in cake-decorating gels. 

Erythrosin, eosin, and, more recently, metallo-porphyrins have been checked as labels for phosphorescence immunoassays (PIAs). 
Usually phosphorescence can be measured only at low temperatures (77 K) to avoid molecule collisions. 
Since this requires a rather complicated instrumental setup, this technique found only rare application. 
Room temperature phosphorescence in solution is a rather rare phenomenon because of molecule collisions and quenching effects of oxygen. 

Some compounds such as biphenyl, biacetyl, and bromonaphthalene derivatives show room temperature phosphorescence, providing a deoxygenated solution. 
The addition of detergents for forming micelles or the inclusion into the cavities of cyclodextrins has been shown to support room temperature phosphorescence. 
Furthermore, the creation of a rigid state by adsorption or immobilization to a solid matrix has been found to enable room temperature measurements. 
Room temperature phosphorescence, although a promising approach, has only rarely been applied to immunoassays up to now.

E127 (Erythrosine) and tartrazine are common artificial food additives which have become a part of daily human consumption. 
Advised daily intake values for these agents are set strictly, however, the actual intake is much higher than the recommended ADI. 
A higher intake of E127 (Erythrosine) and tartrazine is shown to exhibit adverse effects in mammalian models, and is thus a matter of public health concern.

The red food dye E127 (Erythrosine) contains high levels of bound iodine, although there is evidence that the bioavailability of this iodine is relatively low (Wenlock et al., 1982). 
E127 (Erythrosine) provides another example of the variability in the advised content of a low-iodine diet between countries. 
In the US, E127 (Erythrosine) is known as F&DC Red No. 3 and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as a food coloring. 

In contrast, in the UK, E127 (Erythrosine) is known as E127 and, under legislation implementing European Union law, E127 (Erythrosine) is limited to use in “cocktail cherries, candied cherries, bigarreaux cherries in syrup and cocktails”. 
Even these types of ­cherries in the UK are often not colored with ­E127 (Erythrosine). 
Alternative red food dyes are not high in iodine and ­blanket advice sometimes given to patients to avoid products colored pink or red is not necessary in countries such as the UK, in contrast to the US.

E127 (Erythrosine) is also used to provide the red color in the coating of some tablets. 
This use continues in the UK as E127 (Erythrosine) is not covered by food legislation. 
Red-colored tablets can provide a source of iodine in the diet that is sometimes not considered.

Where is E127 (Erythrosine)-b found?
E127 (Erythrosine)-B is fluorescin with a bluish shade. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is found in cosmetics and food. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is also used as a plasma stain for nerve cells and staining bacteria in soil.

Function & characteristics:
Red food colour. Very soluble in water.

E127 (Erythrosine) BS Red colour permitted in foods in most countries (known as Red number 3 in the USA). 
Used in preserved cherries, sausages, and meat and fish pastes; E127 (Erythrosine) is unstable to light and heat. 
Chemically the disodium or potassium salt of 2,4,5,7‐tetraiodofluorescein.

How can you avoid contact with E127 (Erythrosine)-b?
Avoid products that list any of the following names in the ingredients:

What are some products that may contain E127 (Erythrosine)-b?
Cosmetics
Food

E127 (Erythrosine) is a dye used in food and feed additives. 
Prohibited in U.S.A. and Norway E127 (Erythrosine) is a cherry-pink synthetic fluorone food coloring. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is the disodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetraiodofluorescein. 
E127 (Erythrosine)s maximum absorbance is at 530 nm in an aqueous solution, and E127 (Erythrosine) is subject to photodegradation. 

E127 (Erythrosine) is used as a food coloring, in printing inks, as a biological stain, a dental plaque disclosing agent and a radiopaque medium. 
E127 (Erythrosine) is commonly used in sweets and foods marketed to children such as cake icing and cake-decorating gels. 

E127 (Erythrosine) is also used to color pistachio shells. 
While commonly used in most countries of the world, E127 (Erythrosine) is rarely used in the United States due to its known hazards, with Allura Red AC (Red #40) being generally used instead. However, Allura Red AC is banned in many European countries because it is an azo dye, despite the fact that it has fewer known health risks than E127 (Erythrosine).

E127 (Erythrosine) B is widely used for coloring in various applications, especially in the food industry, despite E127 (Erythrosine)s already proved toxicity and carcinogenicity. 
The agrowaste pumpkin seed hulls were applied as potential adsorbent for the removal of E127 (Erythrosine) from aqueous solutions. 
Adsorption mechanism and kinetics were analyzed for design purposes. 

The seed hulls were characterized by specific techniques before and after dye retention. 
E127 (Erythrosine) was found that the attachment of E127 (Erythrosine) B molecules on adsorbent surface may be attributed to the interactions between carboxyl and/or carbonyl groups of both dye and agrowaste wall components. 
A univariate approach followed by a factorial design was applied to study and analyze the experimental results as well as to estimate the combined effects of the process factors on the removal efficiency and dye uptake. 

Adsorption mechanism may be predominantly due to intraparticle diffusion, dependent on pore size. 
The four equilibrium models applied fitted the data well; the maximum adsorption capacity for E127 (Erythrosine) was 16.4 mg/g. 
The results showed that adsorbent is effective for E127 (Erythrosine) B removal for a large concentration range in aqueous solutions (5–400 mg/L) in batch systems.