Toxicity of tomato red, a popular food dye blend on male albino mice

Photo-Oxidation of Organic Dye by Fe2O3 Nanoparticles: Catalyst, Electron Acceptor, and Polyurethane Membrane (PU-Fe2O3) Effects

The textile industry’s discharges have long been regarded as severe water pollution. The photocatalytic degradation of dyes using semiconductors is one of the crucial methods. The present study efficiently used the mechanical method to synthesize Iron oxide Nanoparticles. XRD, FT-IR, UV-Vis DRS, and Raman analyses were performed to analyze the structural and optical. From the data provided by XRD and Raman data, we believed that the as-synthesized Iron oxide was pure hematite (α-Fe2O3) with a hexagonal structure. Additionally, the EDS results show that the synthesized material is pure. By adjusting specific parameters, including the dye concentration, the catalyst dosage, the pH, and the oxidizing agent such as H2O2 and K2S2O8, the degradation of eosin yellowish using Fe2O3 as a photocatalyst has been discussed. Additionally, the kinetics of eosin yellowish degradation has been studied. A study was also conducted using Fe2O3 nanoparticles attached to polyurethane polymer (PU) to investigate its photocatalytic activity on methylene blue, methyl orange, and indigo carmine. In 30 minutes, nearly 90% of the dyes had degraded. The total organic carbon (TOC) analysis confirmed this result.

Food Colour Additives: A Synoptical Overview on Their Chemical Properties, Applications in Food Products, and Health Side Effects

Colour is one of the most relevant organoleptic attributes that directly affects consumers' acceptance and food selection. However, as food colouring pigments are generally unstable and become modified during processing, in order to maintain or restore product colour uniformity, colourants are added to food products around the world. In this context, although they are still widely used, synthetic food colorants, due to their potential hazards, are being replaced by those obtained from natural origins. Indeed, numerous side effects and toxicities, at both the medium and long-terms-namely allergic reactions, and behavioral and neurocognitive effects-have been related to the use of synthetic colourants, whereas their naturally-derived counterparts seem to provide a somewhat high-quality and effective contribution as a health promoter. In order to further understand the implications of the use of synthetic and naturally derived food colourants, this review aims to provide a synoptical approach to the chemical characteristics, properties, uses and side effects on health of those which are currently allowed and applied during food processing.

Studies of eosin Y - DNA interaction using a competitive binding assay

The interaction between xanthene dye eosin Y and double stranded DNA has been studied by spectrophotometry. The conventional titration study does not show the interaction in the eosin Y - DNA system. Therefore, the competitive binding assay was carried out. The DNA-targeted ligands proflavine and methylene blue were used as competitors. Multivariate curve resolution - alternative least squares method (MCR-ALS) was applied to analyze the spectrophotometric titration data. The experimental binding isotherms were fitted by Scatchard and McGee equations. The binding constant of eosin Y with DNA was found to be 1.7·10⁴ M^-1. It is shown that the competitive binding assay requires consideration of heteroassociation for the correct determination of ligand-DNA binding parameters.

Histological and immunohistochemical evaluation of the effect of tartrazine on the cerebellum, submandibular glands, and kidneys of adult male albino rats

Tartrazine is one of the most widely used food additives. The present investigation was carried out on 40 adult male albino rats. They were divided into four groups of ten animals for each. Group I was considered as a control group. Group II was treated with tartrazine daily in a dose 7.5 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage for 30 days. Group III was received 15 mg/kg body weight of tartrazine for the same period. Group IV was administered tartrazine in a dose 100 mg/kg body weight for the whole duration of the experiment. At the end of experiment, samples from the cerebellum, submandibular salivary glands, and kidneys were fixed in neutral buffered formalin 10% and prepared routinely for paraffin sectioning and staining for histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations of proliferating cell nuclear antigen "PCNA" and glial fibrillar acidic protein "GFAP". Tartrazine-treated groups revealed histopathological degenerative changes in the obtained organs. In group II, the cerebellum showed subcortical edema, congestion of the blood vessels, cytoplasmic vacuolations, and pyknosis of the nuclei in the gray matter neurons. Concerning the submandibular glands, they expressed cytoplasmic vacuolations and pyknosis of the nuclei of the acinar cells, congestion of the interacinar blood capillaries, and degenerative changes in the striated duct. The kidneys appeared with interstitial hemorrhage and dilatation of the glomerular capillaries. The PCT and DCT showed ill-defined cell boundaries. The collecting tubules in the renal medulla appeared with flattened epithelial cells. The severity of these changes increases by increasing the dose of tartrazine in group III and reach to the highest level in group IV. The immunoexpression of the GFAP in the cerebellum of the experimental groups was intense compared to the control group. The immunoreactivity of PCNA in the nuclei of the acinar and ductal cells of the submandibular gland and the cells of the renal cortex and medulla was strong in the tartrazine-treated groups compared to the control group. The current study concluded that the tartrazine had serious effect on the cerebellum, submandibular glands, and kidneys that adversely affect the functions of these organs.

Food Yellow4 reprotoxicity in relation to localization of DMC1 and apoptosis in rat testes: Roles of royal jelly and cod liver oil

Food Yellow 4 (FY4) is a lemon-yellow-colored synthetic organic azo dye, which is used widely for imparting pleasant and attractive appearance to foods and cosmetics. The present study aimed at evaluating the possible mechanism underlying the FY4-induced reprotoxicity in rats, and the potential supportive role of royal jelly (RJ) or cod liver oil (CLO), which is a natural remedy with several pharmacological benefits, against induced toxicity. Forty-eight male rats were divided into different groups-the control group, the CLO group (0.4 mL/kg), the RJ group (300 mg/kg), the FY4 group (500 mg/kg b.w.), and the co-treated groups (FY4 + CLO or FY4 + RJ). Semen analysis, serum hormones, and enzyme activities were estimated. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using anti-PCNA, anti-Sox 9, anti-STRA8, anti-DMC1, and anti-ssDNA antibody. The FY4 group exhibited a significant decrease in sperm concentration and motility percentage (%) and a substantial reduction in the TES and LH levels. Testicular LDH, ACP, and SDH were observed to be inhibited. Furthermore, co-localization of DMC1 and ssDNA, which reflected apoptotic induction in the leptotene and zygotene spermatocytes, respectively, was observed to have markedly elevated in the FY4 treated rats, with fewer PCNA-positive and SOX9-positive cells and higher ssDNA-positive cells in the seminiferous epithelium in comparison to the control groups. Interestingly, co-treatment with CLO or RJ exhibited healthy sperms and restored their features, activated the enzyme production, and raised the levels of sexual hormones. In addition, both RJ and CLO restored the features of the testicular tissue as observed under a light microscope, and limited the apoptosis as observed through antibody staining. Collectively, the results of the present study revealed that the co-administration of RJ or CLO with FY4 improved the biochemical, hormonal, and structural aspects of the testicular tissue in rats. Therefore, CLO and RJ may be considered promising agents that would be able to improve the testicular structure and function in the FY4-exposed individuals.

Genetic damage induced by a food coloring dye (sunset yellow) on meristematic cells of Brassica campestris L

We have performed the present piece of work to evaluate the effect of synthetic food coloring azo dye (sunset yellow) on actively dividing root tip cells of Brassica campestris L. Three doses of azo dye were administered for the treatment of actively dividing root tip cells, namely, 1%, 3%, and 5%, for 6-hour duration along with control. Mitotic analysis clearly revealed the azo dye induced endpoint deviation like reduction in the frequency of normal divisions in a dose dependent manner. Mitotic divisions in the control sets were found to be perfectly normal while dose based reduction in MI was registered in the treated sets. Azo dye has induced several chromosomal aberrations (genotoxic effect) at various stages of cell cycle such as stickiness of chromosomes, micronuclei formation, precocious migration of chromosome, unorientation, forward movement of chromosome, laggards, and chromatin bridge. Among all, stickiness of chromosomes was present in the highest frequency followed by partial genome elimination as micronuclei. The present study suggests that extensive use of synthetic dye should be forbidden due to genotoxic and cytotoxic impacts on living cells. Thus, there is an urgent need to assess potential hazardous effects of these dyes on other test systems like human and nonhuman biota for better scrutiny.

Comparison of the efficiency of Cu and silver nanoparticle loaded on supports for the removal of Eosin Y from aqueous solution: Kinetic and isotherm study

In this study, the efficiency of a novel copper containing ionic liquid based nanoporous organosilica (Cu@IL-ONO) and palladium nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon (Pd-NP-AC) for the removal of Eosin Y from aqueous solution was investigated. The Cu@IL-ONO was prepared by hydrolysis and co-condensation of tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and 1,3-bis (trimethoxysilylpropyl) imidazolium chloride in the presence of surfactant template following immobilization of copper chloride dihydrate. These materials were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and subsequently used for the successful removal of Eosin Yellow (EY) from aqueous solution. The effects of pH, contact time, amount of adsorbents, initial dye concentration was optimized and set as following: 0.005g/50mL Cu@IL-ONO and 0.015g/50mL Ag-NP-AC at pH=2 for Cu@IL-ONO and pH=3 for Ag-NP-AC and contact time less than 14min. The experimental removal percentage data at various situations was fitted by conventional isotherm models like Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R). Judgment based on linear regression coefficient (R(2)) and error analysis show high usability of the Langmuir isotherm for best explanation of experimental data with maximum monolayer adsorption capacities 286 and 250mgg(-1) at room temperatures for Cu@IL-ONO and Ag-NP-AC, respectively. Fitting the corresponding data of removal percentage at various experimental conditions shows the suitability of second order and interparticle diffusion model for interpretation of real data.

Risk assessment for the combinational effects of food color additives: neural progenitor cells and hippocampal neurogenesis

In 2006, the Korea Food and Drug Administration reported that combinations of dietary colors such as allura red AC (R40), tartrazine (Y4), sunset yellow FCF (Y5), amaranth (R2), and brilliant blue FCF (B1) are widely used in food manufacturing. Although individual tar food colors are controlled based on acceptable daily intake (ADI), there is no apparent information available for how combinations of these additives affect food safety. In the current study, the potencies of single and combination use of R40, Y4, Y5, R2, and B1 were examined on neural progenitor cell (NPC) toxicity, a biomarker for developmental stage, and neurogenesis, indicative of adult central nervous system (CNS) functions. R40 and R2 reduced NPC proliferation and viability in mouse multipotent NPC, in the developing CNS model. Among several combinations tested in mouse model, combination of Y4 and B1 at 1000-fold higher than average daily intake in Korea significantly decreased numbers of newly generated cells in adult mouse hippocampus, indicating potent adverse actions on hippocampal neurogenesis. However, other combinations including R40 and R2 did not affect adult hippocampal neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. Evidence indicates that single and combination use of most tar food colors may be safe with respect to risk using developmental NPC and adult hippocampal neurogenesis. However, the response to excessively high dose combination of Y4 and B1 is suggestive of synergistic effects to suppress proliferation of NPC in adult hippocampus. Data indicated that combinations of tar colors may adversely affect both developmental and adult hippocampal neurogenesis; thus, further extensive studies are required to assess the safety of these additive combinations.