This experiment was to determine the amount of Red 40 present in M&M, Skittle and Mike and Ike using the spectrophotometer to determine the wavelength and absorbency. Red 40, also known as Allura Red AC or E129, is a red dye that may cause serious health issues and is also linked to ADHD in children. Based on the article by Vinita Sharma and others “Artificial food colorants are commonly used around the word to enhance the appearance of food.”
The stock solution was prepared using 0.168 g/8 L Red Dye 40 the diluted to generate a five-point standard curve for absorbance at 500 nm. A total of nine candies were use three of each type and weighted and recorded. Candies were diluted in 10 ml of distilled water, filter and then poured in 100 ml flask. Distilled water was added to make 100ml solution then a sample was placed in the spectrophotometer for analysis. Figure 1. Plot of Red 40
The mass of Red 40 was 496.42 g /mol. The concentration was calculated to be 4.23*10-5 M.
Table 1. Candy Data.

Based on the data collected the amount of Red 40 present in red M&M and red Skittle was close to that of the 25% solution created from the stock solution. This amount is a significant amount seen that it is present in all red M&M and Skittle. Even though the Mike and Ike was an orange candy it had a small amount of Red 40 within it. Certainly, Red 40 is present in red M&M, red Skittle, Mike & Ike and also possible in other red or orange candies. This amount of Red 40 present could later be studies to determine health issues from consuming large amount of red candies at one time. Citations
Sharma, V.; McKone, H.; Markow, P. A Global Perspective on the History, Use, and Identification of Synthetic Food Dyes. J. Chem. Educ. 2011, Vol. 88
Yu-Hang, C.; En-Sheng; Ke Nazzi; Chueh-PIN, T.; Tsuimin. Erythrosine-Mediated Photodynamic Inactivation of Bacteria and Yeast Using Green Light-Emitting Diode Light. J. Food & Drug Analysis. 2012, Vol. 20 Issue 4, p951-956
Rossi, H.; Rizzo, J.; Zimmerman, D.; Usher, K. Extraction and Quantitation of FD&C Red Dye #40 from Beverages Containing Cranberry Juice: A College-Level Analytical Chemistry Experiment. J. Chem. Educ. 2012, 89, 1551−1554