Analysis of 4-Methylimidazole in Caramel Color and Study of High-Speed Analysis

Caramel color is a type of food additive that is used in various food products to give a brown coloration. Caramel color is manufactured by heating saccharides such as sugar or glucose, but it also contains 4-methylimidazole as a byproduct formed in the manufacturing process. Animal experiments carried out by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) in the United States have revealed that 4-methylimidazole is highly carcinogenic, and based on that result, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified the compound as a carcinogenic hazard in an IARC Monograph. Against this backdrop, the EU and United States have established regulations on the allowable content of 4-methylimidazole in caramel color, and the State of California has set a limit on its daily intake.

This Application News reports on the development of an analytical method for 4-methylimidazole contained in cola by using the Shimadzu Nexera-i MT and a study of the conditions for high-speed analysis.