"The Science Behind Blueberries' Blue Hue"
Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered that the blue color of blueberries is not due to the pigments in the fruit skin, but rather to a layer of wax surrounding the fruit that contains miniature structures scattering blue and UV light. This unique coloration mechanism could lead to new colorant methods and applications, potentially paving the way for sustainable, biocompatible, and even edible UV and blue-reflective paint. The study, published in Science Advances, sheds light on the previously unknown coloration mechanism in popular fruits and the potential for artificially engineered materials to replicate the functionality of natural wax.