The flavoquinone dyes 10-phenyl-isoalloxazine-3-acetic acid ethyl ester (1) and 10-(4-bromo-phenyl)-3-methyl-isoalloxazine (2) in dichloromethane, acetonitrile, and methanol are characterized by absorption and emission spectroscopy. Absorption cross-section spectra, stimulated emission cross-section spectra, fluorescence quantum distributions, quantum yields, lifetimes, and degrees of fluorescence polarization are determined. The blue-light photo-degradation of the dyes is studied. Mass spectroscopic measurements reveal the formation of phenyl-benzo-pteridine (isoalloxazine) derivatives, tetraaza-benzo-aceanthrylene derivatives, dihydro-quinooxaline derivatives, and pyrazino-carbazole derivatives. An enhancement of photo-degradation is observed by the formed photo-fragments. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.