colorant

The ultra-thin colorant is around two microns thick, and although less reflective, it's visibly blue and reflects UV well, possibly paving the way for new colorant methods.

"It shows that nature has evolved to use a really neat trick, an ultrathin layer for an important colorant," added Rox.

In 2010, she and others received a patent in the United States for a “blue colorant derived from Genipa americana fruit.”

Ironically, although the goal was to create a natural colorant, it could be patented only because the polymer itself is not found in nature and requires human intervention to create—such as painting it on skin or mixing it with glycine.

Months before the patent for its blue colorant was granted, a company called Wild Flavors in Kentucky patented a blue dye made by mixing jagua juice with juice from watermelons or other fruits.