Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 78, Revision 1 (FGE.78Rev1): Consideration of aliphatic and alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons evaluated by JECFA (63rd meeting) structurally related to aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons evaluated by EF

Myrcene-What Are the Potential Health Benefits of This Flavouring and Aroma Agent?

Myrcene (β-myrcene) is an abundant monoterpene which occurs as a major constituent in many plant species, including hops and cannabis. It is a popular flavouring and aroma agent (food additive) used in the manufacture of food and beverages. This review aims to report on the occurrence, biological and toxicological profile of β-myrcene. The main reported biological properties of β-myrcene-anxiolytic, antioxidant, anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, analgesic properties-are discussed, with the mechanisms of activity. Here we also discuss recent data regarding the safety of β-myrcene. Overall, β-myrcene has shown promising health benefits in many animal studies. However, studies conducted in humans is lacking. In the future, there is potential for the formulation and production of non-alcoholic beers, functional foods and drinks, and cannabis extracts (low in THC) rich in β-myrcene.

Dietary administration of β-caryophyllene and its epoxide to Sprague-Dawley rats for 90 days

Two independent 90-day GLP-compliant studies were conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats with β-caryophyllene or β-caryophyllene epoxide, two common flavoring and fragrance materials. Dietary concentrations of β-caryophyllene were 3500; 7000; and 21,000 ppm for males and 3500; 14,000; and 56,000 ppm for females. Dietary concentrations of β-caryophyllene epoxide were 1750; 10,500; and 21,000 ppm. There were no deaths or clinical toxicity attributable to either substance administration. Statistically significant, dose-dependent reductions in body weight, body weight gain, food consumption, and food efficiency at the highest dietary concentrations of β-caryophyllene, but not of β-caryophyllene epoxide, were attributed to palatability issues. Neither β-caryophyllene nor β-caryophyllene epoxide influenced estrus cyclicity or sperm parameters. Macroscopic and microscopic findings were primarily related to changes in the kidneys of male rats, consistent with α2u-globulin nephropathy, and in the liver of male and female rats, including hepatocyte hypertrophy at the middle and high intake levels. These changes correlated with increased absolute and relative organ weights. Since the kidney findings were a species- and sex-specific effect, the NOAEL in each study was based on hepatocyte hypertrophy at the two highest dietary concentrations and were determined to be 222 mg/kg bw/day for β-caryophyllene and 109 mg/kg bw/day for β-caryophyllene epoxide.

FEMA GRAS assessment of natural flavor complexes: Citrus-derived flavoring ingredients

In 2015, the Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) initiated a re-evaluation of the safety of over 250 natural flavor complexes (NFCs) used as flavoring ingredients. This publication is the first in a series and summarizes the evaluation of 54 Citrus-derived NFCs using the procedure outlined in Smith et al. (2005) and updated in Cohen et al. (2018) to evaluate the safety of naturally-occurring mixtures for their intended use as flavoring ingredients. The procedure relies on a complete chemical characterization of each NFC intended for commerce and organization of each NFC's chemical constituents into well-defined congeneric groups. The safety of the NFC is evaluated using the well-established and conservative threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) concept in addition to data on absorption, metabolism and toxicology of members of the congeneric groups and the NFC under evaluation. As a result of the application of the procedure, 54 natural flavor complexes derived from botanicals of the Citrus genus were affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) under their conditions of intended use as flavoring ingredients based on an evaluation of each NFC and the constituents and congeneric groups therein.

Human metabolism of α-pinene and metabolite kinetics after oral administration

We studied the human in vivo metabolism and the elimination kinetics of α-pinene (αPN), a natural monoterpene which commonly occurs in the environment. Four volunteers were exposed to a single oral dose of 10 mg αPN. Each subject provided one pre-exposure and subsequently all post-exposure urine samples up to 24 h after administration. Additionally, blood samples were drawn hourly from two volunteers for 5 h. The analysis of the parent compound in blood was performed by a headspace GC-MS procedure, whereas the proposed αPN metabolites myrtenol (MYR) and cis- and trans-verbenol (cVER; tVER) were quantified in blood and urine using GC-PCI-MS/MS. Unknown metabolites were investigated using GC-PCI-MS full-scan analyses. The urinary concentration of the metabolites reached their maxima 1.6 h after exposure. Afterwards, they declined to the pre-exposure levels within the 24-h observation period with elimination half-lives of 1.5 h (MYR) and 1.6 h (cVER and tVER). The total eliminated amounts corresponded to 1.5 % (MYR), 5.6 % (cVER), and 4.1 % (tVER) of the orally applied dose. The GC-PCI-MS full-scan analyses identified three novel metabolites, of which one conforms to myrtenic acid (MYRA). A re-analysis of MYRA in urine showed maximum elimination 1.6 h after αPN ingestion, an elimination half-life of 1.4 h, and a share of the oral dose of 6.7 %. The study revealed that the human in vivo metabolism of αPN proceeds fast and elimination of metabolites takes places rapidly. The metabolism of αPN is dominated by extensive oxidation reactions at the methyl side-chains yielding in carboxylic acid structures as well as by allylic oxidation of the cyclohexenyl backbone, whereas predicted products of a double-bond oxidation were not detected.

Toxicity assessment of refill liquids for electronic cigarettes

We analyzed 42 models from 14 brands of refill liquids for e-cigarettes for the presence of micro-organisms, diethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, hydrocarbons, ethanol, aldehydes, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, and solvents. All the liquids under scrutiny complied with norms for the absence of yeast, mold, aerobic microbes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Diethylene glycol, ethylene glycol and ethanol were detected, but remained within limits authorized for food and pharmaceutical products. Terpenic compounds and aldehydes were found in the products, in particular formaldehyde and acrolein. No sample contained nitrosamines at levels above the limit of detection (1 μg/g). Residual solvents such as 1,3-butadiene, cyclohexane and acetone, to name a few, were found in some products. None of the products under scrutiny were totally exempt of potentially toxic compounds. However, for products other than nicotine, the oral acute toxicity of the e-liquids tested seems to be of minor concern. However, a minority of liquids, especially those with flavorings, showed particularly high ranges of chemicals, causing concerns about their potential toxicity in case of chronic oral exposure.