Determination of Six Synthetic Dyes in Sports Drinks by Dispersive Solid-Phase Extraction and HPLC-UV-Vis

A simple, fast and efficient method was developed for determination of six synthetic dyes (Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow, Amaranth, Ponceau 4R, Indigo Carmine and Brilliant Blue) in sports drinks using dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) with the polymeric sorbent Oasis((R)) HLB. Sample preparation using d-SPE permitted to simplify the procedure and use less sorbent in comparison with SPE. The use of a syringe for the elution step make this easier and avoid the use of a manifold. High performance liquid chromatography with UV-Vis detection was employed for quantification. Recovery results, evaluated at 0.5; 1.0 and 1.5 mg L-1, were between 76 and 108% with relative standard deviation < 18%. The method limit of quantification was 0.5 mg L-1. The developed method was applied to the analysis of commercial sports drinks and the results indicated that all studied samples presented dye levels in conformity with the Brazilian legislation.