In vivo cytogenetic studies on male mice exposed to Ponceau 4R and beta-carotene.
Chromosomal aberrations induced by Ponceau 4R (an azo food dye) and beta-carotene (a natural food colour) were studied on bone marrow cells of mice in vivo. The results indicated that Ponceau 4R was more clastogenic than beta-carotene. Ponceau 4R was found to have a minimum effective dose of 4 mg which induced a significant number of chromosome aberrations. This dose is also the recommended 'admissible daily intake'. Chromosome aberrations induced by beta-carotene were not significantly higher than those of the control (olive oil) in the dose range 0.27 to 27 mg/kg body weight. The genotoxicity of these dyes can be attributed to their chemical composition. In so far as genotoxicity is concerned the carotenoid beta-carotene can be safely used as a food colorant whereas Ponceau 4R should be delisted as a food dye.
Agarwal
K
K
Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, India.
Mukherjee
A
A
Sharma
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000592:standards; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000592:standards; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005505:Food Coloring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000592:standards; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008677:Metaphase; D051379:Mice; D009282:Naphthalenesulfonates; D019207:beta Carotene
D001391:Azo Compounds; D005505:Food Coloring Agents; D009282:Naphthalenesulfonates; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; C576297:ponceau 4R