Erythrosine, also known as Red No. 3, is an organoiodine compound, specifically a derivative of fluorone. It is cherry or melon-pink synthetic, primarily used for food coloring. It is the disodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetraiodofluorescein. Its maximum absorbance is at 530 nm in an aqueous solution, and it is subject to photodegradation.

Uses

It is used as a:

food coloring

printing ink

biological stain

dental plaque disclosing agent

radiopaque medium

sensitizer for orthochromatic photographic films

Erythrosine is commonly used in sweets such as some candies and popsicles, and even more widely used in cake-decorating gels. It is also used to color pistachio shells. As a food additive, it has the E number E127.

Synonyms

Erythrosine B; Erythrosin B; Acid Red 51; C.I. 45430; FD & C Red No.3; E127; 2′,4′,5′,7′-Tetraiodo-3′,6′-dihydroxy-spiro[3H-isobenzofuran-1,9′-xanthen]-3-one disodium salt; Tetraiodofluorescein Sodium Salt; Calcoid Erythrosine N; 2,4,5,7-Tetraiodo-3,6-dihydroxyxanthene-9-spiro-1′-3H-isobenzofuran-3′-one disodium salt; 2′,4′,5′,7′-Tetraiodofluorescein, disodium salt; C.I.Food Red 14; Aizen Erythrosine; Tetraiodifluorescein, disodium salt; Spiro[isobenzofuran- 1(3H),9′-[9H]xanthen]-3-one, 3′,6′-dihydroxy-2′,4′,5′,7′-tetraiodo-, disodium salt.[16][17]

Classification

It is listed under the following number systems:

FD&C Red No. 3

E number E127 (Food Red 14)

Color Index no. 45430 (Acid Red 51)

Indian Standards No. 1697