We did experiment "Candy chromatography", we ran M&Ms candy all colors (separate and mix of all colors) against food dyes red # 3 and 40, blue # 1 and 2, yellow #5 and 6. We don't have problem of identifying dyes in candy but what we noticed is when you ran mix of colors, does not matter candy mix or standard mix, blue #1 behaves differently in only blue #1 spot and in mix of colors. If its only Blue #1 spot goes somewhat higher than in a mix of dyes.
How would you explain that?!
candy chromatography: what make that color?
Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, bfinio, MadelineB, Moderators
-
connief
- Former Expert
- Posts: 302
- Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:27 pm
- Occupation: Graduate Student
- Project Question: I am volunteering for the "Ask an Expert" program.
- Project Due Date: I am volunteering for the "Ask an Expert" program.
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: candy chromatography: what make that color?
Hi there,
I noticed that your project seems to be due today, and I'm sorry if we haven't gotten back to your question in time. I would advise that next time, you may try to post any questions/concerns you have well in advance before the due date to ensure that the experts can get back to you in time. However, if you are still wondering as to why you observe this effect, or if I'm not too late in answering, I can give you my insight on this. I'm not 100% sure why that would be occurring, but my thoughts would probably be that the blue dye is interacting with something in the candy or standard mix (i.e. other dyes?) that is affecting its chemical properties, and that's why it's migrating differently when it's alone versus when it's together with other dyes. To figure out what's going on, I would probably try combining different colors with the blue, one at a time, and see whether these combinations will affect how the blue would migrate compared to when the blue is just alone. I would also post your question in the physical sciences thread because there will probably be some chemists there who may actually give you more insight as to why you would see this effect.
I hope that helped!
Best,
Connie
I noticed that your project seems to be due today, and I'm sorry if we haven't gotten back to your question in time. I would advise that next time, you may try to post any questions/concerns you have well in advance before the due date to ensure that the experts can get back to you in time. However, if you are still wondering as to why you observe this effect, or if I'm not too late in answering, I can give you my insight on this. I'm not 100% sure why that would be occurring, but my thoughts would probably be that the blue dye is interacting with something in the candy or standard mix (i.e. other dyes?) that is affecting its chemical properties, and that's why it's migrating differently when it's alone versus when it's together with other dyes. To figure out what's going on, I would probably try combining different colors with the blue, one at a time, and see whether these combinations will affect how the blue would migrate compared to when the blue is just alone. I would also post your question in the physical sciences thread because there will probably be some chemists there who may actually give you more insight as to why you would see this effect.
I hope that helped!
Best,
Connie