fd&c blue no. 1 (c.i. 42090 (Na))

Full Material List

disodium;2-[[4-[ethyl-[(3-sulfonatophenyl)methyl]amino]phenyl]-[4-[ethyl-[(3-sulfonatophenyl)methyl]azaniumylidene]cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene]methyl]benzenesu

Identifiers

CAS (Single)	3844-45-9
FEMA	N/A
EINECS	223-339-8
Synonyms	acid blue 9 (c.i. 42090 (Na)) acid blue 9 disodium salt alphazurine FG brilliant blue brilliant blue FCF c.i. 42090 (Na) C.I. food blue 2 ci 42090 (Na) dihydrogen (ethyl)(4-(4-(ethyl(3-sulfonatobenzyl))amino)-2'-sulfonatobenzhydrylidene)cyclohexa-2, 5-dien-1-ylidene)(3-sulfonatobenzyl)ammonium disodium salt erioglaucine ethyl [4-[p-[ethyl(m-sulfobenzyl)amino]-[alpha]-(o-sulfophenyl)benzylidene]-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene](m-sulfobenzyl) ammonium hydroxide inner salt fd&c blue no. 1 (c.i. 42090 (Na))
JECFA Food Flavoring	N/A
JECFA Food Additive	Brilliant Blue FCF
DG SANTE Food Flavourings	N/A
DG SANTE Food Contact Materials	N/A
FDA UNII	PPQ093M8HR
CoE Number	N/A
XlogP3-AA	N/A
Molecular Weight	792.8593186
Molecular Formula	C37 H34 N2 Na2 O9 S3

Properties

Food Chemicals Codex Listed	No
Appearance	dark blue powder (est)
Assay	85.00 to 100.00
Specific Gravity	N/A
Lbs/Gal (est)	N/A
Refractive Index	N/A
Melting Point	N/A
Boiling Point	N/A
Flash Point	32.00 Â°F. TCC ( 0.00 Â°C. ) (est)
Acid Value	N/A
Vapor Pressure	N/A
Vapor Density	N/A
logP (o/w)	-0.32
Soluble In	water, 1374 mg/L @ 25 °C (est) alcohol, slightly
Occurrence	not found in nature

Organoleptic

Organoleptic Notes	Odor and/or flavor descriptions from others (if found).
Odor	N/A
Flavor	N/A

AInsights BETA

FlavScents AInsights Entry: FD&C Blue No. 1 (C.I. 42090 (Na)) (CAS: 3844-45-9)

1. Identity & Chemical Information

Common Name(s): FD&C Blue No. 1, Brilliant Blue FCF
IUPAC Name: Disodium 3,3'-[(3,3'-dioxo-1,1'-biphenyl-4,4'-diyl)bis(azo)]bis(5-amino-4-hydroxy-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonate)
CAS Number: 3844-45-9
FEMA Number: Not applicable
Other Identifiers: C.I. 42090, E133 (EU food additive code)
Molecular Formula: C37H34N2Na2O9S3
Molecular Weight: 792.85 g/mol
Functional Groups and Structure-Odor Relevance: FD&C Blue No. 1 is a synthetic dye characterized by azo groups and sulfonate functionalities, contributing to its vibrant blue color. It does not possess a significant odor profile, as its primary function is as a colorant rather than a fragrance or flavor compound.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; PubChem; FEMA

2. Sensory Profile

FD&C Blue No. 1 is primarily used for its color properties rather than its sensory attributes. It is a vibrant blue dye with no significant odor or flavor characteristics. Its role in formulations is to provide visual appeal rather than sensory impact. As such, it does not have defined taste or odor thresholds and is not typically evaluated for sensory roles like impact notes or modifiers.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; peer-reviewed sensory literature

3. Natural Occurrence & Formation

FD&C Blue No. 1 is a synthetic compound and does not occur naturally. It is produced through a series of chemical reactions involving aromatic hydrocarbons, which are sulfonated and diazotized to form the final azo dye structure. Due to its synthetic origin, it does not qualify for "natural flavor" or "natural fragrance" designations.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; food chemistry literature; EFSA/JECFA monographs

4. Use in Flavors

FD&C Blue No. 1 is not used for its flavor properties but as a colorant in various food and beverage products. It is commonly found in confectionery, beverages, and dairy products to enhance visual appeal. Typical use levels in food products range from 10 to 100 ppm, depending on the desired intensity of color. It is stable under a variety of conditions, including heat and pH variations, making it versatile for different formulations.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; FEMA GRAS documentation; formulation literature

5. Use in Fragrances

In the fragrance industry, FD&C Blue No. 1 is used primarily for its color rather than its scent. It can be found in personal care products such as shampoos, soaps, and lotions to provide a visually appealing blue hue. Its concentration in these products is typically low, as it serves a visual rather than olfactory function. It does not contribute to the volatility or fragrance profile of a product.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; IFRA; fragrance chemistry texts

6. Regulatory Status (Regional Overview)

United States: Approved by the FDA for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics. It is listed under 21 CFR 74.101.
European Union: Approved as a food additive (E133) under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.
United Kingdom: Follows EU regulations post-Brexit, allowing its use as E133.
Asia: Approved in countries like Japan and China, with specific regulations on maximum allowable concentrations.
Latin America: Generally approved, with specific regulations varying by country.

Explicit approvals exist across these regions, with harmonized assumptions for its use as a colorant. However, some variability in maximum allowable concentrations may occur.

Citation hooks: FEMA; EFSA; national authority publications

7. Toxicology, Safety & Exposure Considerations

Oral Exposure: The Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for FD&C Blue No. 1 is set at 6 mg/kg body weight by JECFA. It is considered safe for consumption within this limit.
Dermal Exposure: Generally regarded as non-irritating and non-sensitizing in cosmetic applications.
Inhalation Exposure: Not typically a concern due to its low volatility and use in non-aerosolized products.

The risk profiles for food and fragrance applications are similar, with safety primarily focused on oral consumption limits.

Citation hooks: EFSA; FEMA; PubChem; toxicology literature

8. Practical Insights for Formulators

FD&C Blue No. 1 is valued for its vibrant color and stability across a range of pH levels and temperatures. It synergizes well with other colorants to achieve desired hues. Common pitfalls include overuse, leading to regulatory non-compliance, and underuse, resulting in insufficient color impact. It is frequently used in combination with other dyes to create a broader palette of colors.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; industry practice

9. Confidence & Data Quality Notes

Data on FD&C Blue No. 1 is well-established, with extensive regulatory documentation and industry usage guidelines. While industry practices are well-documented, some variability in regulatory limits across regions may exist. No significant data gaps are noted, but formulators should verify compliance with local regulations.

Citation hooks: FlavScents

QA Check

All required sections 1–9 are present
"Citation hooks:" line is present under each section
Flavor section includes ppm ranges
Toxicology section covers oral, dermal, inhalation
Regulatory section mentions US, EU, UK, Asia, Latin America
If complex natural material: includes section 5a (not applicable here)

About FlavScents AInsights (Disclosure)
FlavScents AInsights integrates information from authoritative government, scientific, academic, and industry sources to provide applied, exposure-aware insight into flavor and fragrance materials. Data are drawn from regulatory bodies, expert safety panels, peer-reviewed literature, public chemical databases, and long-standing professional practice within the flavor and fragrance community. Where explicit published values exist, they are reported directly; where gaps remain, AInsights reflects widely accepted industry-typical practice derived from convergent sensory behavior, historical commercial use, regulatory non-objection, and expert consensus. All such information is clearly labeled to distinguish documented data from professional guidance or informed estimation, with the goal of offering transparent, practical, and scientifically responsible context for researchers, formulators, and regulatory specialists. This section is generated using advanced computational language modeling to synthesize and structure information from established scientific and regulatory knowledge bases, with the intent of supporting—not replacing—expert review and judgment.

Generated 2026-01-16 19:20:42 GMT (p2)

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