Ponceau colorants

Description

Scarlet red synthetic dyes first made in 1878 by a secret process developed by Brooke, Simpson, and Spiller. Ponceau colorants were used to dye wool and silk without a mordant. These azo dyes were formerly used for coloring maraschino cherries prior to being removed from the FDA approved list for food in 1976.

• Ponceau 2R; Acid Red 26, CI 16150; also called Xylidine ponceau or Ponceau G, among other synonyms), azo dye used in histology for staining
• Ponceau 3R: discontinued
• Ponceau 4R: Acid Red 18; CI 16255; Pigment Red 274; synthetic colourant used as a food colouring (E Number E124)
• Ponceau 6R: Acid Red 44, CI 16250; Crystal ponceau 6R, among other synonyms), food dye (E number E126) and histology stain
• Ponceau S: Acid Red 112, CI 27195; another name for Scarlet GN, once used as a food dye (E number E125)
• Ponceau SX: another name for Scarlet GN, once used as a food dye (E number E125)

Synonyms and Related Terms

ponceaux; Ponceau 2R; Ponceau SX; Ponceau 4R; Ponceau 6R

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Soluble in water.
• Slightly soluble in alcohols.
• Insoluble in oils.

Resources and Citations

• Wikipedia: Ponceau