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Genipap (Genipa americana L.): A Promising Natural Blue Pigmented Functional Food


Authors : Manjunatha S.; Shobha D.; Nikhil R.; Dinesh Ravi; Divya C.

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 9 - September


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/2navxmas

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26sep944

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Genipa americana L. (genipap) is a tropical fruit native to Central and South America, which has demonstrated potential to be a good functional food and natural pigment source for the food industry. The fruit is particularly rich in iridoids (mainly geniposide and genipin), phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carotenoids and dietary fiber. A characteristic biochemical property is the ability of the fruit to produce a stable natural blue pigment by enzymatic hydrolysis of geniposide to genipin, which then reacts with amino groups to give an intense blue color.

Keywords : Genipa americana, Genipap, Genipin, Geniposide, Natural Blue Pigment, Functional Food, Iridoids, Antioxidants, Food Colourant, Regulatory Approval, Bioavailability.

References :

  1. Bellé, A.S., Hackenhaar, C.R., Spolidoro, L.S., Rodrigues, E., Klein, M.P. and Hertz, P.F. (2018) 'Efficient enzyme-assisted extraction of genipin from genipap (Genipa americana L.) and its application as a crosslinker for chitosan gels', Food Chemistry, 246, pp. 266–274. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.11.028.
  2. Bentes, A.S. and Mercadante, A.Z. (2014) 'Influence of the stage of ripeness on the composition of iridoids and phenolic compounds in genipap (Genipa americana L.)', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 62(44), pp. 10800–10808. doi: 10.1021/jf503378k.
  3. Bentes, A.S., de Souza, H.A.L., Amaya-Farfan, J., Lopes, A.S. and de Faria, L.J.G. (2015) 'Influence of the composition of unripe genipap (Genipa americana L.) fruit on the formation of blue pigment', Journal of Food Science and Technology, 52(6), pp. 3919–3924. doi: 10.1007/s13197-014-1651-9.
  4. Dickson, L., Tenon, M., Svilar, L., Fança-Berthon, P., Martin, J.C., Rogez, H. and Vaillant, F. (2020) 'Genipap (Genipa americana L.) juice intake biomarkers after medium-term consumption', Food Research International, 137, pp. 109375. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109375.
  5. EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (2024) 'Scientific opinion on the safety of jagua (genipin-glycine) blue as a food additive', EFSA Journal, 22(Suppl 1), pp. e8769. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8769.
  6. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (2025) 'Listing of color additives exempt from certification; gardenia (genipin) blue', Federal Register, 90(138). Available at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/15/2025-13175/listing-of-color-additives-exempt-from-certification-gardenia-genipin-blue (Accessed: August 2026).
  7. Gualberto, N.C., Oliveira, C.S., Nogueira, J.P., Jesus, M.S., Araujo, H.C.S., Rajan, M. and Narain, N. (2021) 'Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities in the agro-industrial residues of acerola (Malpighia emarginata L.), guava (Psidium guajava L.), genipap (Genipa americana L.) and umbu (Spondias tuberosa L.) fruits assisted by ultrasonic or shaker extraction', Food Research International, 147, pp. 110538. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110538.
  8. Náthia-Neves, G., Tarone, A.G., Martelli-Tosi, M., Maróstica Junior, M.R. and Meireles, M.A.A. (2017) 'Extraction of bioactive compounds from genipap (Genipa americana L.) by pressurized ethanol: Iridoids, phenolic content and antioxidant activity', Food Research International, 102, pp. 595–604. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2017.09.041.
  9. Neri-Numa, I.A., Pessôa, M.G., Arruda, H.S., Pereira, G.A., Paulino, B.N., Angolini, C.F.F., Ruiz, A.L.T.G. and Pastore, G.M. (2020) 'Genipap (Genipa americana L.) fruit extract as a source of antioxidant and antiproliferative iridoids', Food Research International, 134, pp. 109252. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109252.
  10. Ramos-de-la-Peña, A.M., Renard, C.M.G.C., Wicker, L., Montañez, J.C., García-Cerda, L.A. and Contreras-Esquivel, J.C. (2014) 'Environmental friendly cold-mechanical/sonic enzymatic assisted extraction of genipin from genipap (Genipa americana)', Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 21(1), pp. 43–49. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2013.06.013.
  11. Santos, A.C., Otsuka, F.A.M., Santos, R.B., Trindade, D.J. and Matos, H.R. (2023) 'Antiglycation potential and antioxidant activity of genipap (Genipa americana L.) in oxidative stress mediated by hydrogen peroxide on cell culture', Natural Product Research, 37(12), pp. 2065–2069. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2023.2193849.

Genipa americana L. (genipap) is a tropical fruit native to Central and South America, which has demonstrated potential to be a good functional food and natural pigment source for the food industry. The fruit is particularly rich in iridoids (mainly geniposide and genipin), phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carotenoids and dietary fiber. A characteristic biochemical property is the ability of the fruit to produce a stable natural blue pigment by enzymatic hydrolysis of geniposide to genipin, which then reacts with amino groups to give an intense blue color.

Keywords : Genipa americana, Genipap, Genipin, Geniposide, Natural Blue Pigment, Functional Food, Iridoids, Antioxidants, Food Colourant, Regulatory Approval, Bioavailability.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - October - 2026

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