The cytogenetic effects of food sweetener maltitol in human peripheral lymphocytes

Determination of the genotoxic effects of sweeteners, mannitol and lactitol

The changes in dietary habit around the world have led to an increased use of additives in the food. The safety of food additives has been a main focus of research for many years due to the ongoing debate on their potential effects on health. In this study, the in vitro genotoxic effects of mannitol and lactitol, polyols used as sweetener food additives, were evaluated using chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and micronucleus (MN) assays in human peripheral lymphocytes. Additionally, the effects of these sweeteners on the mitotic index (MI) and nuclear division index (NDI) were investigated. Concentrations of 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 μg/mL for mannitol and 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 μg/mL for lactitol were used. The results indicated that both polyols did not affect CA and MN frequency, and did not cause a significant change in NDI at all treatment concentratoins. However, mannitol (except at concentrations of 500 and 1000 μg/mL) and lactitol (except at 250 μg/mL) significantly decreased the MI compared to the control at almost all concentrations and treatment times. In conclusion, it was observed that mannitol and lactitol did not have a significant genotoxic effect at the concentrations used in human lymphocytes in vitro.

Maltitol: Analytical Determination Methods, Applications in the Food Industry, Metabolism and Health Impacts

Bulk sweetener maltitol belongs to the polyols family and there have been several dietary applications in the past few years, during which the food industry has used it in many food products: bakery and dairy products, chocolate, sweets. This review paper addresses and discusses in detail the most relevant aspects concerning the analytical methods employed to determine maltitol's food safety and industry applications, its metabolism and its impacts on human health. According to our main research outcome, we can assume that maltitol at lower doses poses little risk to humans and is a good alternative to using sucrose. However, it causes diarrhoea and foetus complications at high doses. Regarding its determination, high-performance liquid chromatography proved the primary method in various food matrices. The future role of maltitol in the food industry is likely to become more relevant as processors seek alternative sweeteners in product formulation without compromising health.

The genotoxic and teratogenic effects of maltitol in rats

In the present study, the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of the low-caloric artificial sweetener maltitol, which is a sugar alcohol (polyol), were investigated in the bone marrow cells of rats using the chromosome aberration (CA) test. In addition, the teratogenicity and embryotoxicity of maltitol was also investigated in rats. To reveal the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of maltitol, rats were intraperitoneally administered 2.5, 5 and 10 g/kg body weight (bw) concentrations of maltitol for 6, 12 and 24 h treatment period. The pregnant females were intraperitoneally treated with 1, 2 and 4 g/kg bw/day concentrations of maltitol during the first 7 days of gestation (first trimester) to investigate the teratogenicity of maltitol. The embryos were collected after killing the dams by cervical dislocation under ether anaesthesia on gestation day 19. Maltitol did not induce the CA and did not decrease the mitotic index in bone marrow cells of rats at all concentrations and treatment periods. In addition, maltitol was not teratogenic; however, it decreased the foetuses weight and at the highest dose (4 g/kg bw) caused growth retardation.

Clastogenic effects of food additive citric acid in human peripheral lymphocytes

Clastogenic properties of the food additive citric acid, commonly used as an antioxidant, were analysed in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Citric acid induced a significant increase of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) at all the concentrations and treatment periods tested. Citric acid significantly decreased mitotic index (MI) at 100 and 200 mug ml(-1) concentrations at 24 h, and in all concentrations at 48 h. However, it did not decrease the replication index (RI) significantly. Citric acid also significantly increased sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) at 100 and 200 mug ml(-1) concentrations at 24 h, and in all concentrations at 48 h. This chemical significantly increased the micronuclei frequency (MN) compared to the negative control. It also decreased the cytokinesis-block proliferation index (CBPI), but this result was not statistically significant.