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Effects of natamycin on sister chromatid exchanges, chromosome aberrations and micronucleus in human lymphocytes

Eyyüp Rencüzoğullari1, Sebile Azirak, Semir Canimoglu

  • 1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Letters, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. reyyup@cu.edu.tr

Drug and Chemical Toxicology
|June 12, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Natamycin, an antifungal food additive, induced chromosome aberrations and micronucleus formation in human cells. It also exhibited cytotoxic effects, decreasing cell division at higher concentrations.

Area of Science:

  • Food Science
  • Toxicology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Natamycin (pimaricin) is a widely used antifungal agent in food and beverages.
  • Its potential genotoxic effects require thorough investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the genotoxicity of natamycin in human lymphocytes.
  • To assess the impact of natamycin on chromosome aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, and micronucleus formation.

Main Methods:

  • Human lymphocytes were exposed to varying concentrations of natamycin (13–28 μg/mL) for 24 and 48 hours.
  • Analysis included chromosome aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), micronucleus (MN) formation, and cytotoxicity assays (replication index, mitotic index, nuclear division index).

Main Results:

  • Natamycin induced structural CAs and MN formation across most tested concentrations.
  • Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency increased only at the highest concentration after 48 hours.
  • Cytotoxic effects were observed, with decreased replication, mitotic, and nuclear division indices, particularly at higher natamycin concentrations.

Conclusions:

  • Natamycin demonstrates genotoxic potential in human lymphocytes, inducing CAs and MNs.
  • The antifungal agent exhibits cytotoxic effects, impacting cell proliferation.
  • Further research is warranted to fully understand the in vivo implications of these findings.

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