Jagua blue derived from Genipa americana L. fruit: A natural alternative to commonly used blue food colorants?

Local knowledge as a tool for prospecting wild food plants: experiences in northeastern Brazil

“…In addition to the medicinal potential, a blue dye can be extracted from the green fruit of G. americana, which has been indicated as a promising alternative to synthetic dyes, with high color and storage stability 63 . In terms of propagation, the seed has no dormancy and has more effective germination between 20 and 35 °C 64 .…”

Plant Allergen-Induced Contact Dermatitis

“…Another-so far rare (only 2 cases reported)-case of ACD was attributed to jagua dye used for temporary tattoos [38,39]. Up to now, mostly beneficial effects of extracts from the Amazonian Genipa americana L., Rubiaceae, fruit and especially of its bioactive compound genipin (e.g., as an alternative to synthetic food dye) [40] or in traditional medicine to treat small wounds, skin disorders, anemia, and to induce abortions but also as insect repellent, have been reported in South America and China [39]. In 2 cases, the nontoxic fruit extract, which is long used in the indigenous population for body tattoos (both permanent and temporary) without known cases of adverse reactions, was reported to induce ACD after repeated application of jagua tattoo dye preparations on the skin.…”

Unverträglichkeitsreaktionen auf Pflanzen

“…So wird Genipin z. B. als Alternative zu synthetischem Lebensmittelfarbstoff [24] oder in der traditionellen Medizin zur Behandlung von kleinen Wunden, Hautstörungen, Anämie und zum Auslösen von Abtreibungen, aber auch als Insektenschutzmittel in Südamerika und China verwendet [23]. In 2 Fällen führte jedoch der nicht toxische Fruchtextrakt, der in der indigenen Bevölkerung seit langem für dauerhafte und temporäre Körpertätowierungen ohne bekannte Nebenwirkungen verwendet wird, nach wiederholter Anwendung von Jagua-Tätowierungsfarbstoff-Zubereitungen auf der Haut zu allergischer Kontaktdermatitis.…”