Scientists have uncovered the mystery of the blue color of blueberries

Scientists from the University of Bristol have uncovered the mystery behind the blue color of blueberries. The research results not only reveal the mechanisms by which this rare color is created in nature, but also open up new prospects for creating environmentally friendly and edible pigments. The results of the work were published in the journal Science Advances.

The fact is that blue pigment does not exist in nature. However, blueberries and their other relatives, such as slides, damsons and juniper berries, are able to appear blue thanks to their waxy skin.

Scientists have discovered that the wax layer on blueberry skins contains tiny structures that scatter blue and ultraviolet light while absorbing light from other colors. This creates the appearance of blue to both the human eye and to birds and other species that can see ultraviolet light. This unique mechanism of nature helps attract pollinators such as bees.

The blue color of blueberries cannot be obtained by simply crushing the berry, since this color is not found in the pigmented juice of the fruit. This circumstance led researchers to believe that there was something strange about its color.

As part of the experiment, the researchers removed the outer wax from blueberries and transferred it to a card in the lab. They created a new blue UV coating and removed the substance that gives the color. Interestingly, this mechanism for creating the blue color of blueberries has not been previously documented, and the researchers were able to recreate it in the laboratory.

“We realized that there are a variety of blue pigments in nature, as well as “tricks,” or ways that nature creates blue without pigments. We just didn’t know why blueberries and similar fruits were blue,” said physicist Rox Middleton, one of the study’s co-authors.
The scientists plan to conduct further research to find easier ways to recreate this blue coating and use it to create eco-friendly and edible dyes that reflect the color blue.

“It was a really nice reminder that there is still so much to discover in the world around us. The plants are amazing!” - said Middleton.