Anaerobic metabolism of 1-amino-2-naphthol-based azo dyes (Sudan dyes) by human intestinal microflora.

The rates of metabolism of Sudan I and II and Para Red by human intestinal microflora were high compared to those of Sudan III and IV under anaerobic conditions. Metabolites of the dyes were identified as aniline, 2,4-dimethylaniline, o-toluidine, and 4-nitroaniline through high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry analyses. These data indicate that human intestinal bacteria are able to reduce Sudan dyes to form potentially carcinogenic aromatic amines.