Why is tartrazine yellow

Between and , three landmark studies revealed a relationship between fruit juices flavored with AFCs and hyperactive behavior in kids.

These are known as the Southampton Studies. In the Southampton Studies, groups of preschoolers and 8- to 9-year-olds were given fruit juices with different mixes and amounts of AFCs. In fact, researchers found that all children in the experimental group showed slight increases in hyperactive behavior. But children with ADHD may be extremely sensitive. Rather, there is strong evidence to support a biological component for this disorder. More research is needed. A study looked at how human white blood cells were affected by yellow 5.

After three hours of exposure, yellow 5 caused damage to human white blood cells in every concentration tested. This may make tumor growth and diseases like cancer more likely. Researchers concluded that since the cells of the gastrointestinal tract are exposed directly to yellow 5, these cells may be more likely to develop cancer. Most of the AFCs you eat are metabolized in your colon, so colon cancer may be of the greatest risk.

A study measured the toxicity of yellow 5 on flies. Results showed that when yellow 5 was delivered to the flies at the fourth highest concentration, it became toxic. In the second part of this study, human leukemia cells were exposed to different food colorings. These may seem like rather obvious sources of yellow 5. But some food sources can be deceptive. For example, would you ever expect the jar of pickles you have in the fridge to contain yellow 5?

Well, in some cases, it does. Kinetic study of the thermal decomposition of some aromatic ortho-chlorinated azomonoethers. Rev Roum Chim. Synthesis and characterization of novel furoate azodye using spectral and thermal methods of analysis. Roisinel T, Rodriguez-Carvajal J. A windows tool for powder diffraction patterns analysis. Rotaru A, Dumitru M. Thermal behaviour of CODA azoic dye liquid crystal and nanostructuring by drop cast and spin coating techniques.

Rotaru A. Discriminating within the kinetic models for heterogeneous processes of materials by employing a combined procedure under TKS-SP 2. Stud Univ Babes Bolyai Chem. Thermal decomposition kinetics of some aromatic azomonoethers. Part I. Part II. Non-isothermal study of three liquid crystals in dynamic air atmosphere. Part III. Part IV. Non-isothermal kinetics of 2-allyl 4- 4-methylbenzyloxy phenyl diazenyl phenol in air flow.

Thermal stability of some azo-derivatives and their complexes—1- 2-benzothiazolyl methylazo-pyrazilone derivatives and their Cu II complexes. Synthesis, spectroscopic and thermal properties of a series of azo metal chelate dyes.

Stable diazonium salts of weakly basic amines—convenient reagents for synthesis of disperse azo dyes. The synthesis, characterization, thermal and optical properties of copper, nickel, and vanadyl complexes derived from azo dyes.

Thermal and optical properties of metal azo dyes for digital video disc-recordable discs. Jpn J Appl Phys. Spectroscopic, thermal, catalytic and biological studies of Cu II azo dye complexes. Bal S, Connolly JD. Synthesis, characterization, thermal and catalytic properties of a novel carbazole derived Azo ligand and its metal complexes. Study of the interaction between collagen and naturalized and commercial dyes by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis.

Dye Pigments. Binding interaction of xanthoxylin with bovine serum albumin. J Solut Chem. Folin O, Ciocalteu V. On tyrosine and tryptophane determinations in proteins.

J Biol Chem. Analysis of total phenols and other oxidation substrates and antioxidants by means of Folin—Ciocalteu reagent. Method Enzymol. Antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds in 32 selected herbs.

Food Chem. Comparison of total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity in local red wines determined by spectrophotometric methods. Food Nutr Sci. Download references. Cuza Street, Nr. Atomistilor, Nr. Calea Bucuresti, Nr. You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar. Correspondence to Andrei Rotaru. Reprints and Permissions. Leulescu, M. List of Partners vendors. It is one of several azo food dyes that are made from petroleum products. Artificial food dyes are used to make foods more aesthetically appealing from a visual standpoint.

These dyes can be used to create colors not possible with natural products as well as to reinstate the original appearance of a food which may be lost in the production process. Artificial food dyes are also often cheaper and more accessible than natural food dyes. It's important to note that food dyes are present not only in foods but can be found in cosmetics and other products, and some absorption through the skin occurs. Tartrazine has long been suspected of being the cause of many adverse reactions, though not all have been supported by research.

Some suspected reactions include:. There has also been a theory that people with aspirin-sensitive asthma may be especially sensitive to tartrazine, but this theory appears to be largely disproven based on more recent studies. The FDA requires products containing tartrazine to print it on the label. Certainly, there have been studies which have looked at other possible concerns with tartrazine added to food dyes or it would not be available in commerce.

Those which have looked more closely at genotoxicity the ability to be toxic to genes , cytotoxicity the ability of a substance to be toxic to cells , and mutagenicity the ability of a substance to cause gene mutations may be unsatisfactory.

Unfortunately, many of the studies to date have been done on rats, so we are unsure what meaning these have with regards to humans. Given that azo food dyes such as tartrazine have been banned in many countries, it's important to consider the possible reasons behind these bans based on what we have learned. Tartrazine appears to be a neurotoxin toxic to cells in the brain at least in rats.

It's thought that tartrazine affects the nervous system in rats in ways that include problems with spacial memory and more. This appears to be significant enough that tartrazine has been tested along with other agents to see if these other agents may play a protective role against damage to the nervous system caused by tartrazine. For example, a study found that administering vitamin E a neuro-protective agent might prevent both the structural and behavioral changes caused by tartrazine—at least in rats.

Rats that were given tartrazine have a number of findings in their central nervous system, including a shortage of brain neurotransmitters. Increased cell death in the brain was also noted. It is not known if these changes also pertain to humans. Whether tartrazine could cause behavioral changes in human children similar to rat progeny haven't been assessed directly to the same degree, but a few studies have been done. It is derived from coal tar. Confectionery, soft drinks, instant puddings, flavored chips Doritos, Nachos, etc , cereals corn flakes, muesli, etc.

Soaps , cosmetics, shampoos and other hair products, moisturizers , crayons and stamp dyes. Vitamins , antacids , medicinal capsules and certain prescription drugs. Rumors began circulating about Yellow 5 in the s regarding a link to its consumption and adverse affects on male potency and penis size.

These rumors most likely were spun from confirmed cases of allergic reactions and sensitivities to Tartrazine. There are no documented cases supporting the claim that Yellow 5 will shrink a man's penis or cause it to stop growing. Tartrazine appears to cause the most allergic and intolerance reactions of all the azo dyes, particularly among those with an aspirin intolerance and asthmatics.

The prevalence of tartrazine intolerance is estimated at roughly , Americans affected, about 0. Symptoms from tartrazine sensitivity can occur by either ingestion or cutaneous exposure to a substance containing tartrazine.