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Genotoxicity of Synthetic Food Colorants



Author(s)

V. R. Swaroop, D. Dinesh Roy and T. Vijayakumar

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DOI:10.17265/2159-5828/2011.02.007

School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala 686560, India

A study was conducted to evaluate the genotoxicity, if any, of the permitted synthetic food colorants used in India. Eight synthetic food colorants namely Erythrosine (E127), Tartrazine (E102), Ponceau 4R (E124), Sunset Yellow FCF (E110), Brilliant Blue FCF (E133), Fast Green FCF (E143), Carmoisine (E122) and Indigo Carmine (E132) and their combination are used in sweets namely Ladu, Jilebi and Halwa in Calicut and suburban areas of Kerala, in India. The genotoxicity of the colorants alone and in combinations at different concentrations were evaluated by Cytokinesis Block Micronucleus (CBMN) Assay. It was observed that all the above colorants and their combinations could cause genotoxicity to human lymphocytes even at the permissible concentration of 100 ppm as per PFA (Prevention of Food Adulteration) Act of India. The toxicity varied from dye to dye and was proportional to their concentration. Combination of colors showed more toxicity than the individual components. Toxicity could be reduced drastically by reducing the concentration of the dyes at least 50% below the permissible limit. Permitted synthetic food colorants even at the permissible limit should be used with caution. This study demonstrated the need for redefining the permissible limit of the food colorants based on Admissible Daily Intake (ADI) as being practiced in developed countries.

Synthetic food colorants, genotoxicity, CBMN (Cytokinesis Block Micronucleus) Assay, somatic DNA damage, food adulteration, ADI (Admissible Daily Intake).