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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.07.08.737154

Molecular Alterations of Bovine Serum Albumin Induced by the Food Dye Acid Yellow 23: A Mechanistic Study

Dahiya, P.·Verma, A.·Mevada, V.·Kumar, S.·Verma, N.
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Abstract

The widespread use of synthetic food dyes, such as Acid Yellow 23 (AY 23), in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries raises questions about their potential effects on biological systems and public health. The concentration-dependent interaction between AY 23 and bovine serum albumin (BSA), a crucial model protein for understanding pharmacokinetics and protein-ligand behaviour, was examined in this study. We demonstrate that, under physiological conditions, increasing dye concentrations from 50 {micro}M to 200 {micro}M results in notable conformational changes, increased surface hydrophobicity, and protein aggregation using a multimodal biophysical approach that includes fluorescence spectroscopy. Direct visualisation verified these structural changes and aggregate formation, whereas hemolytic assay confirmed the high hemolytic nature of AY 23-induced fibrils. Additionally, this study provides a mechanistic basis for the toxicological effects of AY 23, underscoring the implications of food dyes for public health. HighlightsO_LIAcid Yellow 23 (AY 23) modulates Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) structure and leads to aggregation under physiological conditions. C_LIO_LIStructural alteration is followed by binding of AY 23 at the hydrophobic regions of BSA, perturbing the globular protein into fibrillar aggregates. C_LIO_LI{middle dot} Confirmational changes induced by AY 23 in the BSA via interaction with Asp108, Pro110 and Ala193. C_LIO_LIFibrils formed after AY 23 interaction are observed to be hemolytic in nature. C_LIO_LIMolecular mechanism of AY 23-mediated fibrillation of BSA was assessed. C_LI Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=139 SRC="FIGDIR/small/737154v2_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (40K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@241c95org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@d0a03aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c7445borg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@58cf7c_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

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Dahiya, P., Verma, A., Mevada, V., Kumar, S., Verma, N.. 2026-07-09. Molecular Alterations of Bovine Serum Albumin Induced by the Food Dye Acid Yellow 23: A Mechanistic Study. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.08.737154

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