Determination of 13 synthetic food colorants in water-soluble foods by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detector.

A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method for the successful separation and determination of 13 synthetic food colorants (Tartrazine E 102, Quinoline Yellow E 104, Sunset Yellow E 110, Carmoisine E 122, Amaranth E 123, Ponceau 4R E 124, Erythrosine E 127, Red 2G E 128, Allura Red AC E 129, Patent Blue V E 131, Indigo Carmine E 132, Brilliant Blue FCF E 133 and Green S E 142) was developed. A C18 stationary phase was used and the mobile phase contained an acetonitrile-methanol (20:80 v/v) mixture and a 1% (m/v) ammonium acetate buffer solution at pH 7.5.