Other Unknowns

Determining the Colors Present in Some Other Unknowns



Small amounts of each unknown were dissolved with water and then spotted onto a TLC plate. Also spotted on the plates were pure samples of the dyes suspected to be present. This will allow for a direct comparison of the unknown sample spots and the pure standard spots. The plates were then developed using a butanol-methyl ethyl ketone-water-ammonia solvent system.

Examine the results and determine what dyes are present in the unknown.


yellow, blue and green food coloring



cherry, orange and grape Koolaid