Amaranth

September 24, 2012
Image of Amaranth 3D Image of Amaranth

Amaranth is a tribasic sulfonate dye first prepared by O. Knecht in 1886. It became known as the infamous FD&C Red No. 2, which was used to add red color to foods and cosmetics—until it was banned by FDA in 1976 as a suspected carcinogen. It also is used to dye wool and silk and as an indicator in hydrazine titrations.

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