title: In vitro toxicological evaluation of essential oils and their main compounds used in active food packaging: A review.
abstract: Essential oils (EOs) and their main constituent compounds have been extensively investigated due to their application in the food industry for improving the shelf life of perishable products. Although they are still not available for use in food packaging in the market in Europe, considerable research in this field has been carried out recently. The safety of these EOs should be guaranteed before being commercialized. The aim of this work was to review the scientific publications, with a primary focus on the last 10 years, with respect to different in vitro toxicological aspects, mainly focussed on mutagenicity/genotoxicity. In general, fewer genotoxic studies have been reported on EOs in comparison to their main components, and most of them did not show mutagenic activity. However, more studies are needed in this field since the guidelines of the European Food Safety Authority have not always been followed accurately. The mutagenic/genotoxic activities of these substances have been related to metabolic activation. Therefore, in vivo tests are required to confirm the absence of genotoxic effects. Considering the great variability of the EOs and their main compounds, a case-by-case evaluation is needed to assure their safe use in food packaging.
authors: Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n°2, 41012 Seville, Spain.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Llana-Ruiz-Cabello
authors: Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n°2, 41012 Seville, Spain.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Pichardo
authors: Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n°2, 41012 Seville, Spain.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Maisanaba
authors: Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n°2, 41012 Seville, Spain.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Puerto
authors: Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n°2, 41012 Seville, Spain.
authors: Ana I
authors: AI
authors: Prieto
authors: Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n°2, 41012 Seville, Spain.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Gutiérrez-Praena
authors: Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n°2, 41012 Seville, Spain.
authors: Angeles
authors: A
authors: Jos
authors: Area of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de Sevilla, Profesor García González n°2, 41012 Seville, Spain. Electronic address: camean@us.es.
authors: Ana M
authors: AM
authors: Cameán
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D005060:Europe; D018857:Food Packaging; D006801:Humans; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity*; D018675:Toxicity Tests
chemical_list: D016587:Antimutagenic Agents; D009153:Mutagens; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils
keywords: Essential oil; Food packaging; Genotoxicity; Mutagenicity