The cosmetic dye quinoline yellow causes DNA damage in vitro.

Quinoline yellow (QY) is a chinophthalon derivative used in cosmetic compositions for application to the skin, lips, and/or body surface. However, regulatory data about the genotoxicity and/or mutagenicity of this compound are still controversial. Therefore, this work evaluated the genotoxicity of QY using the comet assay and the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay (CBMN-Cyt) in the metabolically competent cell line HepG2, which closely mimics phase I metabolism.