Glycine-capped
silver nanoparticles: Promising catalyst for degradation of metanil yellow dye,
an adulterant in turmeric powder
Garg Ayushi and Sharma Rama
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 29(8); 120-128;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/298rjce1200128; (2025)
Abstract
This research aimed to identify unauthorized food colorings in spices and explore
a new method for reducing these harmful substances using silver nanoparticles. Spices,
known for their strong flavors and aromas, enhance the taste of many foods and beverages.
However, the issue of spice adulteration poses serious health risks, making the
detection of harmful contaminants essential. Glycine-capped silver nanoparticles
(Gly-AgNPs) showed significant promise, effectively photo-catalyzing the breakdown
of metanil yellow dye, a banned food coloring. To assess real-world implications,
four turmeric powder samples were collected from local markets in Agra, specifically
testing for metanil yellow.
The results were concerning: two of the four samples contained metanil yellow dye,
indicating a troubling prevalence of adulteration. Gly-AgNPs proved to be highly
effective catalysts, reducing the dye concentration by 89% within 120 minutes under
optimized conditions. This research highlights the potential of glycine-capped silver
nanoparticles as effective agents for degrading toxic dyes, suggesting significant
applications in food safety and environmental cleanup.
