Advances in Biology & Earth Sciences

Azo dyes as common food additives provide several benefits in the food industry. Tartrazine (TTZ) is an azo colorant widely used in food products, drugs and cosmetics. However, TTZ application has induced different areas of damage in environmental and human systems such as allergies, mutagenicity and hyperactivity in children. Concerning the alarming effects of TTZ use, it should be kept under continuous monitoring and re-evaluated according to the daily released scientific reports. Hence, TTZ content control in food samples is highly important and needs the application of new detecting methods which rely upon synthesis of sensitive and selective sensors. Nanomaterial-based sensors ensure rapid and efficient detection of TTZ due to their unique properties. The present paper aims to review the possible toxic effects of TTZ in a human being and also regulatory techniques to determine tartrazine level in marketed food. Furthermore, this manuscript overviews the recent application of nanotechnology not only as sensors of TTZ but also to remove the dye from the environment to have a safe ecosystem.