Semiquantitative color catcher and smartphone-based analysis of synthetic food dyes in alcohol containing beverages

Abstract

Solid phase extraction, based on the use of color catcher sheets, was successfully employed for the preconcentration of food dyes from alcohol containing beverages. The photos of color catcher sheets with the adsorbed dyes were taken with a mobile phone. The smartphone-based image analysis of the photos was performed using Color Picker application. The values of several color spaces were collected. Specific values from RGB, CMY, RYB and LAB color spaces were proportional to the dye concentration in the analyzed samples. The described inexpensive, simple and elution free assay enables analysis of dyes concentration in various solutions.

Keywords: Alcohol beverages; Color catcher; Color catcher solid phase extraction; Synthetic food dyes.