Semiquantitative determination of food acid dyes by magnetic textile solid phase extraction followed by image analysis

Magnetic textile solid phase extraction, based on the use of magnetically modified non-woven textile impregnated with chitosan, was successfully employed for the preconcentration of acid food dyes from water solutions. The photos of textile squares with the adsorbed dye were taken with a mobile phone. The image analysis of the photos was performed using appropriate freeware. The values of saturation, obtained through the HSB color space, were proportional to the dye concentration in the analyzed samples. Described inexpensive, simple and elution free assay enables analysis of dyes concentration in various solutions. This novel method has a potential to be a useful alternative to existing semiquantitative determination procedures, especially for dyes analysis.