International Numbering System (INS) for Food Additives: 131
Food additives Europe numbers: E131
Patent blue is a synthetic organic compound that is used as a dye. It is also known as Patentblau V, Solvent Blue 36, or CI 77300. It is an aniline dye, which is a type of dye derived from aniline, a compound derived from coal tar. Patent blue is used in a variety of applications, including food coloring, medical diagnostics, and textile printing. It is also used in the manufacture of inks, paints, and varnishes. In the food industry, it is used to color confectionery, baked goods, and other products. In medical diagnostics, it is used to color certain solutions used in certain tests.
Patent Blue is a sterile dye solution injected into your body to aid visualization during medical procedures. Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:
Function:
- Enhances visibility of specific vessels in your body, primarily lymphatic vessels, arterial territories, and lymph nodes.
- This improved visualization helps doctors during biopsies in some cancers.
Type:
- Aniline dye, one of the most common dyes used for this purpose.
- Comes as a sodium or calcium salt.
Administration:
- Injected by a healthcare professional.
Mechanism:
- Binds with albumin, a protein in your blood, and travels through the lymphatic system.
- This allows doctors to identify sentinel lymph nodes, the first nodes where cancer is likely to spread.
Additional Points:
- Developed in 1979 and approved by Health Canada.
- Generally safe, but consult your doctor if you have any concerns.