Evaluating the interaction effects of using common synthetic food dyes and aspartame by Artemia salina toxicity test

Food additives are the most common substances that are used in food industries. Different bioassays are required for the determination of mixtures of food additives. In this study, the toxicity of three common synthetic food dyes such as Carmoisine, Sunset Yellow, and Brilliant Blue in combination of aspartame was screened against the larvae of Artemia salina. At first, lethal dose 50 (LD50) of each food additives was calculated and then the combinations of them were assayed. Results showed that the toxicity of Sunset Yellow with aspartame (LD50 = 42 µg/ml) is more than other dyes and the combination of Carmoisine with aspartame (LD50 = 88.25) is the safer than others.