Subchronic toxicity evaluation of potato protein isolates

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Nutritional Biochemistry
• Toxicology

Background:

• Potato protein exhibits high nutritional value, comparable to eggs and soybeans.
• Processed potato protein isolates (total potato - TP, low molecular weight - LMW, high molecular weight - HMW) present potential as food ingredients to enhance protein content.
• A manufacturing process has been established for producing these potato protein isolates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and toxicological profile of TP, LMW, and HMW potato protein isolates.
• To determine the effects of dietary administration of potato protein isolates on Wistar rats over a 90-day period.

Main Methods:

• Groups of Wistar rats (10/sex) were fed diets containing 15% HMW, 7.5% LMW, or 15% TP protein isolates for 90 days.
• Safety assessments included monitoring clinical signs, mortality, body weight, body weight gain, hematology, clinical chemistry, organ weights, and histopathology.
• Specific attention was paid to any treatment-related changes, including adrenal gland vacuolation.

Main Results:

• No adverse effects were observed in clinical signs, mortality, body weight, or weight gain across all treatment groups.
• Hematological and clinical chemistry parameters showed no biologically significant changes.
• Histopathological examination revealed no clear treatment-related adverse findings; a minor, non-adverse adrenal vacuolation was noted in male rats in two groups.

Conclusions:

• Potato protein isolates (HMW, LMW, and TP) are well-tolerated and safe when administered orally at the tested concentrations.
• The study data support the safety of these potato protein isolates as food ingredients.
• No adverse toxicological effects were identified, supporting their potential commercial use.