Common food dye found to make skin and muscle temporarily transparent

A new study has found that a common food dye can make skin and muscle temporarily transparent.

The dye, called safranin, is used in a variety of processed foods and beverages, including candy, ice cream, and soda.

In the study, researchers applied safranin to the skin of mice and found that it made the skin transparent within minutes. The researchers also found that safranin could make muscle transparent, allowing them to see the underlying blood vessels.

The researchers believe that safranin could be used to develop new medical imaging techniques. For example, safranin could be used to make skin tumors more visible during surgery, or to help doctors diagnose muscle injuries.

The study was published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.

What is safranin?

Safranin is a red food dye that is made from a coal tar derivative. It is used in a variety of processed foods and beverages, including candy, ice cream, and soda.

How does safranin make skin and muscle transparent?

Safranin binds to collagen, a protein that is found in skin and muscle. This binding causes the collagen to become more transparent, allowing light to pass through it more easily.

What are the potential medical applications of safranin?

The researchers believe that safranin could be used to develop new medical imaging techniques. For example, safranin could be used to make skin tumors more visible during surgery, or to help doctors diagnose muscle injuries.

Are there any risks associated with using safranin?

Safranin is generally considered to be safe for use in food and beverages. However, it can cause skin irritation in some people.

What are the next steps for research on safranin?

The researchers plan to conduct further studies to investigate the safety and efficacy of safranin for medical imaging.