Brilliant blue FCF and oxidative stress in human blood
What it found
In lab tests on human plasma and blood platelets, brilliant blue FCF reduced some markers of oxidative stress caused by a chemical that generates hydroxyl radicals.
The tests used blood samples from six healthy volunteers.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
Lipid peroxidation in plasma
Brilliant blue FCF, at 2, 10, 20 and 200 µM, reduced lipid peroxidation in plasma caused by the hydroxyl radical generator. This was measured as TBARS.
Lipid peroxidation in platelets
Brilliant blue FCF, at 2, 10, 20 and 200 µM, inhibited lipid peroxidation in blood platelets treated with the hydroxyl radical generator. At 200 µM it reduced this by about 82%.
Protein carbonylation in platelets
At 200 µM, brilliant blue FCF significantly inhibited protein carbonylation in blood platelets caused by the hydroxyl radical generator, by about 42.9%.
Thiol groups in plasma
Brilliant blue FCF, at 1 to 200 µM, had a protective effect on the change in thiol groups in plasma proteins caused by the hydroxyl radical generator. The effect was not dose-dependent.
Thiol groups in platelets
Only at the highest concentration (200 µM) did brilliant blue FCF change the level of thiol groups in blood platelets treated with the hydroxyl radical generator.
Arachidonic acid pathway
Brilliant blue FCF, at 1 to 200 µM, did not affect the level of TBARS in blood platelets stimulated by thrombin, a marker of arachidonic acid metabolism.
What the authors conclude
“In conclusion, the present study provides the first data on the antioxidant potential of genipin, brilliant blue FCF, and patent blue V in selected elements of blood treated with H 2 O 2 /Fe 2+ .”
Also in their conclusions
- They say this is the first data on the antioxidant potential of brilliant blue FCF in selected elements of blood treated with H2O2/Fe2+.
- They note that the colourants, especially genipin, can modify oxidative stress in platelets and plasma in vitro at concentrations that can be obtained in blood during administration.
- They call for further in vivo experiments to better understand their antioxidant potential.
How it was done
The authors wanted to see whether natural and synthetic blue food colourings could affect oxidative stress, a process they say is a key step in the development of cardiovascular diseases.
They took blood from six healthy volunteers (aged 21 to 25, three men and three women) and separated it into plasma and blood platelets. They treated these samples with brilliant blue FCF at concentrations of 1, 2, 10, 20 and 200 µM for 30 minutes, then added a chemical mixture (H2O2/Fe2+) that produces hydroxyl radicals, and measured several markers of oxidative stress.
What it can’t tell you
- These are lab tests on blood samples, not studies in living people. They cannot show what happens when brilliant blue FCF is eaten or how it affects health over time.
- The study did not test whether brilliant blue FCF prevents or treats any disease.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
- Authors work at
- University of Lodz, Poland
The paper
- Title
- Comparative Action of Blue Food Colorants (Genipin, Patent Blue V, and Brilliant Blue FCF); Their Effect on Oxidative Stress in Human Plasma and Blood Platelets In Vitro
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Olas B, Kontek B, Witkowska D, Sitek K (2026). Comparative Action of Blue Food Colorants (Genipin, Patent Blue V, and Brilliant Blue FCF); Their Effect on Oxidative Stress in Human Plasma and Blood Platelets In Vitro. International journal of molecular sciences. doi:10.3390/ijms27136045Free full textPubMed 42450311DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error