Detection by coupled LC-photodiode array detection and high-resolution Orbitrap MS of dimethyl and diethyl yellow dyes used illegally in processed soymilk curd

An efficient non-target dye-screening system consisting of a liquid chromatography photodiode array coupled with a high-resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS) is described. Visible absorption spectroscopy assisted in locating the peak of an unknown dye in HRMS chromatograms which allowed the accurate molecular weight of the unknown to be obtained. In a study of the adulteration of processed soymilk curd (tofu) with dimethyl yellow, an unexpected unknown dye was discovered. The compound was further purified by gel permeation chromatography and identified by HRMS and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as diethyl yellow (solvent yellow 56). This is the first time that diethyl yellow has been reported in foods. The authentic diethyl yellow was then purchased and used as a quantitative standard. Tofu products and their ingredients associated with tofu processing were surveyed. Analysis showed the source of diethyl yellow could be traced to emulsifiers used as ingredient in tofu products. Surveillance work found the concentrations of diethyl yellow ranged from several g kg(-1) (ppb) in the tofu products to up to hundreds of mg kg(-1) (ppm) in the emulsifiers.