Fast and Simple Method for the Detection and Quantification of 15 Synthetic Dyes in Sauce, Cotton Candy, and Pickle by Liquid Chromatography/tandem Mass Spectrometry

A simple and sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of 15 illegal dyes (Sudan I, Sudan II, Sudan III, Sudan IV, Sudan Red G, Sudan Orange G, Sudan Red 7B, Para Red, Dimethyl Yellow, Rahodamine B, Sudan Black B, Sudan Red B, Auramine O, Toluidine Red and Orange II) was developed and validated in sauce, cotton candy, and pickle. The samples were extracted with acetonitrile without the use of solid-phase extraction cartridges. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 column with a flow rate of 500 µL/min at 45 °C, using a gradient elution with A (10 mM ammonium formate in water with 0.1% formic acid) and B (10 mM ammonium formate in acetonitrile (ACN) with 0.1% formic acid) as the mobile phase. The detection was performed on a AB Sciex 6500 Qtrap mass analyzer under multiple reaction monitoring mode. Limit of detection, quantification, linearity, and precision were determined during the validation process. Recoveries ranged from 82% to 119% for all synthetic dyes, in exception to Orange II in cotton candy and pickle, where signal was suppressed due to high matrix interference and poor ionization. This method offers a simple and rapid approach to detect and quantify prohibited dyes in foodstuff that can be utilized in food contaminant laboratories.