Evaluation of Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate Preservative Concentrations in Different Sauce Samples in Urmia, Iran

Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are relatively common preservatives used in a wide range of foods including flavoring products like sauces. The potential health risks arising from these preservatives along with the high consumption rate of these flavoring products worldwide highlight the importance of the quality and safety assurance of these products. So, this study aimed to evaluate the concentrations of these two common preservatives (i.e., sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate) in different sauce samples, including mayonnaise, salad dressings, Caesar sauce, Italian dressing, Ranch dressing, French dressing, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and to compare them with the acceptable level of Codex standard. For this purpose, 49 samples, including three to five samples of each type of different brands of sauce samples, were randomly collected from supermarkets in Urmia, Iran. Based on the results, the mean concentrations ± standard deviation of sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate in the collected samples were found to be 249.9 ± 157 and 158.0 ± 131 ppm, respectively, which were lower than the general standard of the Codex Alimentarius and the European legislation. Due to the importance of hazardous side effects of these preservatives for consumers, regular and accurate evaluation of these preservatives in sauces as highly consumed food products is still recommended for consumer safety.

Food Additive (Sodium benzoate)-induced Damage on Renal Function and Glomerular Cells in Rats; Modulating Effect of Aqueous Extract of Atriplex halimus L

The aim of the current study was to investigate the preventive and curative effect of Atriplex halimus L. (Ah) extract against the kidney damages induced by Sodium benzoate (SB) in rats. Thirty male albino rats were divided into five groups of 6 rats each: Control, Ah, SB, AhP+SB and SB+AhC. SB (100 mg/kg b.w) was added to drinking water for 15 weeks. Aqueous extract of aerial parts of Atriplex halimus received intragastrically during the last 30 days of SB exposure for curative treatment (AhC) and all the duration of SB exposure for preventive treatment (AhP). Some Biochemical markers, oxidative stress parameters and histopathology of kidney tissue were studied. Administration of Sodium benzoate to rats caused a loss of weight and a significant elevation in creatinine, urea, renal malondialdehyde levels and lactate dehydrogenase activity. These changes were accompanied by decreasing in antioxidant defenses, like reduced glutathione level, catalase and glutathione S transferase activities in the kidney. Histopathological studies showed a massive degeneration in kidney tissue in SB-exposed rats. However, treatment with Atriplex halimus (A. halimus) restored the altered of biochemical and oxidative stress markers. A. halimus also regenerated the architectural kidneys lesions to near control. With more protection offered in the curative than preventive models of treatment. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that Sodium benzoate damages kidney structure and function and is a nephrotoxic substance. Atriplex halimus was able to improve the renal damage as an antioxidant and a nephroprotective agent.

Cytotoxicity of the Ingredients of Commonly Used Toothpastes and Mouthwashes on Human Gingival Fibroblasts

Objectives:

Toothpastes and mouthwashes contain ingredients that may be toxic for oral mucosal tissues. This study aimed to assess the cytotoxicity of the ingredients of commonly used toothpastes and mouthwashes.

Materials and Methods:

This experimental study was performed on 16 toothpastes and four mouthwashes widely available in the Iranian market. First, the concentration of six main ingredients of these products, namely sodium fluoride (NaF), sodium lauryl sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, zinc lactate, paraben, and sodium benzoate, was determined. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of these materials for human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). The MTT assay was performed at 1, 15, and 30 minutes following exposure to five concentrations of each material in triplicate (according to the concentrations obtained in the isolation step). Data were analyzed using three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results:

The difference in the cytotoxicity of the materials was statistically significant (P<0.001). Cytotoxicity was time- and concentration-dependent; by an increase in the concentration of the materials, their cytotoxicity increased over time. The cytotoxicity of sodium lauryl sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine was >90%. The cytotoxicity of NaF varied from 25% to 70%, and the cytotoxicity of all concentrations of zinc lactate and sodium benzoate was <50% for HGFs.

Conclusion:

To decrease the cytotoxic effects of toothpastes, sodium lauryl sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine should be replaced with safer detergents, and the concentration of fluoride should be decreased to 400 parts per million (ppm). Alternatively, fluoride may be replaced with other antibacterial and cariostatic agents.

Simultaneous Quantification of Cephalexin and Sodium Benzoate in their Dosage forms by high analytical technique. Application of Lean Six Sigma and In-Vitro Dissolution studies

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present work is to develop and validate a novel and simple Chromatographic and MCR methods for simultaneous quantification of cephalexin (CPH) and sodium benzoate (SDM) in their dosage form and application of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) to reduce variation and improve quality.

METHODS

Isocratic separation is performed using Agilent XDB-C8 (4.6mm×250mm) 5μm, with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile: water (30: 70, v/v) containing 0.1% orthophosphoric acid (OPA) at flow rate of 1.5mL/min and wavelength 254nm with injection volume of 20μL for HPLC and Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 column (50mm×2.1mm, 1.8μm particle size) at flow rate 0.25mL/min, injection volume 0.8μL for UPLC. MCR spectrophotometric method is successfully applied for resolving spectral overlap of drugs at 240nm and 250nm for CPH and SDM, respectively. Comparative invitro dissolution studies are established on Generic product; Rivalexin and Lexin 250mg/5mL, consequently it had been considered equivalent and like the innovator product; Cephalexin USP 250mg/5mL using different USP media.

RESULTS

Good Linearity and recovery are achieved over the concentration range of 10-300, and 5-50μg/mL for the studied drugs. Process Capability Index (Cpk) is >1.33 and still capable during all stages of the product release.

CONCLUSION

The proposed method is accurate and could be applied to dosage form and LSS to interpret the data of quality attributes.

Taste perception and sensory sensitivity: Relationship to feeding problems in boys with Barth Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Feeding problems are common in boys with Barth syndrome and may contribute to the population's propensity for growth delay and muscle weakness. The purpose of this study was to quantify and describe these feeding issues and examine altered taste perception and sensory sensitivity as contributing factors.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional, two-group comparison design was used to examine feeding preferences and behaviors, chemical taste perception, and sensory sensitivities in fifty boys with (n=24) and without (n=26) Barth ages 4-17 years. Taste perception was measured using chemical test strips saturated with phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and sodium benzoate (NaB). Feeding problems were documented by parents using a Food Inventory, while sensory sensitivities were recorded using a Short Sensory Profile.

RESULTS

Boys with Barth differed significantly from typical peers with regards to problem feeding behaviors. For boys with Barth, food refusal and food selectivity were identified as being present in 50% the sample, while 70% of had identified problems related to gagging or swallowing foods. About half of all Barth families noted that their child's eating habits did not match the family's and that separate meals were often prepared. As demonstrated in previous research, about 50% of boys with Barth demonstrated probable or definite differences in taste/smell sensitivity, which was significantly higher than controls. On tests of chemical taste perception, boys with Barth were significantly more likely to be supertasters to PTC and non-tasters to NaB. Taster-status did not directly relate to the presence of feeding problems, however, taste/smell sensitivity did significantly relate to food selectivity by type and texture.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate feeding problems in at least 50-70% of boys with Barth syndrome, and suggest that behaviors are often present before 6 months of age. Differences in taste perception may influence dietary choices in boys with Barth, particularly their craving of salty foods. Taste/smell sensitivity also appears to influence food selectivity, and therefore may be important to consider in this population, particularly in light of dietary influences on cardiac function, energy consumption, and overall growth.