Identification and simultaneous determination of Azorubin, Allura red and Ponceau 4R by differential pulse polarography: application to soft drinks.

Azorubin (E 122), Ponceau 4R (E 124) and Allura red (E 129), are the most used red dyes in soft drinks manufacturing, and in some cases two dyes are present. The aim of this work is to show that using differential pulse polarography, it was possible to distinguish these synthetic dyes from the natural dyes providing from fruits. In addition, in an appropriate supporting electrolyte, identification and quantitative analysis of these three red dyes were possible, even when they were mixed.