A New Glow on the Chromatography of M&M Candies

This lab experiment for undergraduate or high school students presents the separation and analysis of dyes in the candy shell of MandM chocolate candies. The dyes in the shells of MandMs are separated using paper chromatography and are identified by comparison of the R f values, color, and fluoresce...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of chemical education 2002-07, Vol.79 (7), p.847
Main Authors: Birdwhistell, Kurt R, Spence, Thomas G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Candy
Chemistry
Chromatography
Dyes
Experiments
Paper chromatography
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Description
Summary:This lab experiment for undergraduate or high school students presents the separation and analysis of dyes in the candy shell of MandM chocolate candies. The dyes in the shells of MandMs are separated using paper chromatography and are identified by comparison of the R f values, color, and fluorescence properties with those of standard FDandC ([U.S. Federal] Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) dyes. The experiment introduces students to chromatography of mixtures, compound identification by using R f values, and fluorescence. They learn about fluorescence and how it appears in everyday substances and can be used to help identify compounds.
ISSN:0021-9584
1938-1328
DOI:10.1021/ed079p847