Filter paper-based colorimetric analysis: An instrument-free strategy for semiquantitative naked-eye detection of food colorants

Shuangshou Wang; Lu Zhang; Qiwen Jin; Zhongqiu Xu; Jiayi Zhao; Yuwen Ding; Wenzhi Li; Peng Lin; Jing Gu; Qi Zhang; Yang Chen; Hongmei Chen; Tingxuan Yan

doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133087

Filter paper-based colorimetric analysis: An instrument-free strategy for semiquantitative naked-eye detection of food colorants

Food Chem. 2022 Oct 1:390:133087. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133087. Epub 2022 May 9.

Authors

Shuangshou Wang¹, Lu Zhang², Qiwen Jin², Zhongqiu Xu², Jiayi Zhao², Yuwen Ding², Wenzhi Li², Peng Lin², Jing Gu², Qi Zhang³, Yang Chen⁴, Hongmei Chen⁵, Tingxuan Yan⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan 243032, China. Electronic address: wangss17@ahut.edu.cn.
² School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan 243032, China.
³ Department of Process Analysis of Tobacco, Zhengzhou Tobacco Research Institute of CNTC, Zhengzhou, China. Electronic address: ayzhqi@126.com.
⁴ School of Pharmacy, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu 233030, China.
⁵ School of Mathematics and Physics of Science and Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, China.
⁶ School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan 243032, China. Electronic address: chinaytx@ahut.edu.cn.

PMID: 35551021
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133087

Abstract

A filter paper-based colorimetric strategy for instrument-independent visual detection of artificial food colorants (FCs) was developed in this study. Indicator papers were prepared via the one-step polycondensation of silane coupling agents onto glass microfiber filter papers, and colorimetric cards with a fine one-to-one correspondence between their colors and FCs concentrations were straightforward obtained by the extraction of FCs with indicator papers by virtue of electrostatic interaction and hydrophobic effect. Filter papers post-modified via such a simple way were proved to be of improved binding class selectivity and colorimetric sensitivity, allowing for in-situ colorimetric assay of FCs in an unprecedently wide range of applicable pH (1.0-12.0) with high reliability and fine versatility. Finally, the semiquantitative naked-eye determination of FCs (Allura red, brilliant blue and sunset yellow) in real-world drink samples was experimentally confirmed to be feasible by comparison with the findings of UV-vis absorption spectra, HPLC and mass spectra.

Keywords: Colorimetric assay; Filter paper-based analysis; Food colorants; HPLC; Naked-eye detection; Solid phase extraction.

MeSH terms

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
Colorimetry
Food Coloring Agents*
Mass Spectrometry
Reproducibility of Results

Substances

Food Coloring Agents