Technical information

Afrisil Colours ranges of water soluble are safe and easy to use. There are many different applications for these dyes from cleaning chemicals through to soap and leak detection. The choice of dye is determined by end use and the other chemicals. The table shows typical applications for each dye. Please use it to help you make the correct choice. The best way to use the dyes is to make a solution. Click here for instructions: How to dissolve Dyes.

Bestoil Dyes are pure non-ionic organic compounds that do not contain any filler. They have good solubility in aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, oils and waxes. Suitable applications include Shoe polishes, Detergents, Care products, Consumer Goods, Candles, Oily Insecticides, Wood preservatives, Lubrication Oils, Greases, Fuel and smoke.

Not all cosmetic colours can be used in all cosmetic applications. There are some restrictions in their fields of application that are described in the European Union (EU) Regulation No. 1223/2009 on cosmetic products and incorporated into UK Law by The Cosmetic Products Enforcement Regulations 2013.

There are four fields of application described:

• Field 1) Colorants that are allowed in all cosmetic products.
• Field 2) Colorants that are not allowed to be used in eye products.
• Field 3) Colorants not allowed to be used in products applied on mucous membranes.
• Field 4) Colorants allowed only in rinse-off products.
• The following shows the restrictions for the FastColours range within the Cosmetic Directive.

One of the complexities of complying with cosmetic regulations are the differences between the USA and Europe. There are many instances where what is allowed in USA is not allowed in Europe and vice-versa. There are also differences between the descriptions of the applications.

In the USA there are considerably less colours allowed, as compared to Europe. Below is a summary of FDA regulations and a comparison with the EU Cosmetic Directive. There is also additional information including restrictions in applications.

The summary is split into two sections. In the first section, the dyes and pigment shown are those that Afrisil can offer that are batch exempt for usage in USA. In the second section, it lists all those dyes and pigments that are allowed to be used in cosmetics in USA with batch certification.

Those with highlighted names, Afrisil are able to offer as colours that are batch certified by FDA.

EU Regulation 1129/2011 clarifies which colours can be used in food. It splits the colours into two main groups, Group II and Group III.

Group II can be used quantum satis (add as much of this ingredient as is needed to achieve the desired result, but not more). Group III have a combined maximum limit. Additionally there are a few colours that are allowed in certain foods with specific amounts.

Please contact us for additional information on the limits of how you can use for those colours that fall into Group II and others.

There are the water soluble Natural Colours in the Afrisil Range. They have varying properties which are shown below.

Suitable food applications are also shown for each dye. If a number is quoted, this is maximum allowed in g/Kg in accordance the Colour Section Guide as published in EU Regulation 1333/2008 based on the strength of the colour content within each of the Afrisil Colours dye. For all other dyes then it is quantum satis (this means you can use as much as you need to achieve the colour effect you require).

The best way to use water soluble dyes is to make a solution. Dyes can be messy to handle so our recommended Safety Precaution is to wear safety spectacles, gloves, dust mask, lab coat/apron when handling dyes. Also use an area that can be easily cleaned, if handling could be a concern, the granular dyes are recommended.

To make a solution:

1. Weigh out the required quantity of dye
2. Make a paste using cold water
3. Add hot water to this paste whilst stirring
4. Continue to stir until the dye is fully dissolved
5. Allow to cool or add cold water
6. The dye is now ready to use
7. The stability of solutions is good provided they are kept in a cool place and not exposed to direct sunlight.

Some of the dyes have varying solubility – they can be very soluble at high temperatures but on cooling they can come out of solution. Please refer to the table: Water-Soluble & Food Dyes to ensure that you don’t try to dissolve too much dye into insufficient water. Our dyes are extremely powerful and a small variation in weight can lead to a big change in colour, especially when using small amounts and when using a mixture of 2 or more dyes. It is recommended that the accuracy required when weighing (grams) dye is to two decimal points for small volumes and 1 decimal point for large volumes.

If you can only weigh to one decimal point and the volume is small, then it is better to make a concentrate solution. A good starting point is a 1% solution (i.e. 10g/l), and then add it by volume to your mix, 1ml of this concentrate will contain 0.01g/l, giving the 2 decimal points accuracy. For blends, you can produce concentrates of each dye and then mix them in your specific ratio to have your own concentrate mixture. This can be added as a single component thus minimising any inaccuracies.

E131 Patent Blue V & E151 Brilliant Black BN
These dyes are specified by the Foods Standards Agency within the Industry Guide to Edible Co-Products and Animal By-Products. E131 Patent Blue V is for staining Category 1 meats and is used at 0.5% strength. E151 Brilliant Black BN is for staining category 2 meats and is used at between 1% and 2.5% strength.

How to make 1 litre of 0.5% Solution of E131 Patent Blue V

1. Weigh out 5g of dye.
2. Make a paste with the dye using cold water.
3. Add hot water to this paste whilst stirring.
4. Continue to stir until the dye is fully dissolved.
5. Allow to cool.
6. Add to cold water to make 1 litre.

The dye is now ready to use. The stability of the solution is good provided it is kept in a cool place and not exposed to direct sunlight.

How to find out the right strength of E151 Brilliant Black BN to use

The strength required will depend on the meat. You will need to test to find out which is the best strength for your requirements. The following method produces 4 different strength solutions to test.

1. Weigh out 10g of E151 Brilliant Black BN
2. Dissolve as per points 2-5 above
3. Add to cold water to make 400ml. This will give you strength of 2.5%
4. Take 100ml of the 2.5% solution and add 25ml of water. This will give strength of 2.0%
5. Take 100ml of the 2.5% solution and add 65ml of water. This will give strength of 1.5%
6. Take 100ml of the 2.5% solution and add 150ml of water. This will give strength of 1.0%

You now have 4 different solutions, test to find out which gives the best results. Once known you will need to make a larger solution.

Making the correct strength of E151 Brilliant Black BN

For making larger solutions you will need to weigh out the following:

1. For 2.5% you will need 25g of dye per litre of water
2. For 2.0% you will need 20g of dye per litre of water
3. For 1.5% you will need 15g of dye per litre of water
4. For 1.0% you will need 10g of dye per litre of water

Colouring of candles is fairly straight forward.

1) Heat the wax until it is liquid.

2) Add the dye to the liquid wax

3) Stir until the dye is completely dissolved

4) Pour into your mould

5) Allow to cool

If you want lighter colours you could make a candle (as above), then chip it into smaller pieces and add chips of this into new liquid wax (make sure it is fully dissolved) until you get your desired shade.

If you want to produce different shades then the dyes will easily mix together to enable you to produce a full colour range.

If you wish to produce a black candle then you will need to mix three colours yellow, red and blue at high concentrations.
If you use a black solvent dye from our range, you will be able to produce a black candle but it will not burn.