In vivo toxicity evaluation of the migration extract of an organomodified clay-poly(lactic) acid nanocomposite.
The food packaging industry is in continuous development in order to obtain more secure and stable food and beverages. The incorporation of inorganic and organic materials with plastic polymers leads to polymer composites. Among the inorganic compounds, clays such as montmorillonite (MTT) and its derivatives are of great interest due to their advantageous properties. The Technological Institute of Packaging, Transport,and Logistics (ITENE) developed a novel nanocomposite based on a poly(lactic) acid (PLA) polymer using an MMT derivative, named Clay1, as filler, to be used in the beverage industry. The improvement of the technological properties of this new material was demonstrated, but safety issues are also of concern. In the present study, a histopathological examination by optical and electron microscopy of organs from Wistar rats exposed for 90 d to a migration extract of PLA-Clay1 nanocomposite was carried out. Moreover, different clinical biochemistry, inflammation,and oxidative stress biomarkers were determined. Results showed no apparent evidence of damage, indicating that this nanocomposite has a good profile to be used in the food packaging industry, although further research is still needed.
a Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy , University of Sevilla , Seville , Spain.
Sara
S
Maisanaba
Daniel
D
Gutiérrez-Praena
María
M
Puerto
María
M
Llana-Ruiz-Cabello
Silvia
S
Pichardo
Rosario
R
Moyano
Alfonso
A
Blanco
María
M
Jordá-Beneyto
Angeles
A
Jos
D000818:Animals; D001546:Bentonite / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D015415:Biomarkers; D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods; D061353:Food Storage; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D001546:Bentonite; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)