Degradation of pharmaceutical and food colourant using electrochemical technique

Department of Environmental Chemistry, Jiwaji University. Gwalior-474 Oil, India
E-mail : gwlsosmica@sancharnet.in       Fax : 91-751-2346209
Manuscript received 10 December 2003, accepted 17 March 2004

Brilliant blue FCF disodium salt of 4-{4-N-ethyl-m-sulphobenzyl aminophenyl) (2-sulphonium phenyl)-methylcne} [1-(N-ethyl-N-
m-sulphobenzyl)-∆ 2-5-cyclohexadienimine] is a certified colourant used by various pharmaceutical companies. In the present
work, the study of electrochemical behaviour was carried out and feasibility of controlled potential electrolysis technique is
judged in terms of rate of disappearance of colour, decrease in absorbance, disappearance of any reduction peak in
decolourised solution, decrease in COD value which were chosen as parameters to evaluate the progress of reduction. The
decomposition products of controlled potential reduction were characterised by spectrophotometric and chromatographic
methods. This method of dye degradation is useful in identifying the reduction pathway and provides potential for dye
degradation.