Physicochemical Characterization, Stability and Cytotoxicity of a Blue Dye Obtained from Genipap Fruit (Genipa americana L.).

Camila Verly De Miranda Sabino,Hector Henrique Ferreira Koolen,Ádley Antonini Neves De Lima,Felipe Moura Araújo Da Silva,Emerson Silva Lima,Tatiane Pereira De Souza,Bárbara Janaína Paula Da Silva,Danielle Lima Bezerra De Menezes

doi:10.17113/ftb.59.01.21.6809

Camila Verly De Miranda Sabino, Hector Henrique Ferreira Koolen + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.17113/ftb.59.01.21.6809

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Abstract

SUMMARYResearch backgroundThe current commercial scenario indicates an increase in the demand for natural dyes. Compared to synthetic dyes, natural ones have the advantage of being sustainable, making them of great interest for the food and cosmetic industries. The development of new natural dyes is necessary, as well as the carrying out of complementary research regarding the existing ones.Experimental approachThe present study aims to characterize the physicochemical and biological characteristics of the dye obtained from dehydrated endocarp of the genipap (Genipa americana) fruit, as well as perform the relevant stability and cytotoxicity tests. The chemical characterization was performed by HPLC-MS/MS analyses. The stability studies were carried out by spectrophotometry and cytotoxicity assays using cell culture and fluorometric methods.Results and conclusionsAfter dehydration and milling of the fruit endocarp, water was added to the obtained powder (in the ratio 4:1) to extract the dye. Five compounds were elucidated using HPLC-MS/MS and confirmed the presence of the geniposide as its main compound. With the X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy analysis, we characterised the obtained powder as being amorphous and of porous structure with a variable size. The thermogravimetric analysis indicated a maximum loss of 61% mass after exposure to a temperature range from 240 to 760 °C. The obtained blue dye was stable in the absence of light, at room temperature and had neutral pH. In the cytotoxicity assay, (95.0±1.3) % of viable human fibroblasts were observed after exposure to this dye. The genipap fruit can be a viable alternative to produce a natural blue dye, since it is easy to obtain and has very low toxicity in food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic products.Novelty and scientific contributionThis study demonstrates for the first time the physicochemical and biological properties of a natural blue dye from G. americana fruit.

Highlights

Natural dyes are distinguished by their biocompatibility, which makes them an alternative to the widely-marketed synthetic dyes [1,2]
Statistical analysis of the results showed that only the mass fraction of genipap powder was significant, confirming that a higher mass fraction of genipap powder and water as extracting liquid are the best parameters in order to obtain the blue pigment
This study showed the feasibility of using genipap as a potential source for the production of a stable blue dye, which could be applied in the food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic industries

Summary

Introduction

Natural dyes are distinguished by their biocompatibility, which makes them an alternative to the widely-marketed synthetic dyes [1,2]. The growing commercial demand for natural substances, which have sustainable methods of production, has aroused interest in the search for new raw materials and/or improvement in the techniques used to extract these dyes [2,3]. The fruit, when in its immature stage, is rich in a colourless iridoid called genipin. This substance acquires high reactive potential with amine groups when exposed to oxygen, resulting in the formation of an intense blue pigment [3]. Genipin is easy to extract because it has good solubility in water and hydroalcoholic solutions, which has contributed to its historically widespread use by indigenous peoples as a dye for utensils and for body pigmentation [5,6]

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