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Effect of stevioside and steviol on the developing broiler embryos
Jan M C Geuns1, Veerle Bruggeman, Johan G Buyse
1Lab Plant Physiology, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. Jan.Geuns@bio.kuleuven.ac.be
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|August 9, 2003
Summary
Prenatal exposure to stevioside and steviol in broiler chickens showed no adverse effects on embryonic development, hatchling weight, or organ development. These natural sweeteners are not toxic to chicken embryos.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Toxicology
- Food Science
Background:
- Stevioside and steviol are natural sweeteners derived from Stevia rebaudiana.
- Concerns exist regarding the safety of food additives during animal embryonic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the toxicological effects of prenatal exposure to stevioside and steviol in broiler chickens.
Main Methods:
- Fertile broiler eggs were injected with varying doses of stevioside (0.08-4 mg/egg) and steviol (0.025-1.25 mg/egg) on day 7 of incubation.
- Embryonic mortality, hatchling body weight, physical deformities, gonad development, and sweetener presence in blood were assessed at hatch and one week later.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in embryonic mortality, hatchling body weight, or the incidence of malformations (bone, beak, head, feathering, vent) across treatment groups.
- Abnormal gonad development was not detected in any of the treatment groups.
- Stevioside and steviol were undetectable in the blood of hatchlings, indicating no systemic absorption or carry-over.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal administration of stevioside and steviol at the tested doses does not negatively impact broiler chicken embryonic development or hatchling health.
- The study concludes that stevioside and steviol are not toxic to chicken embryos under the experimental conditions.