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Saccharin and other sweeteners: mutagenic properties
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 2, 1977
Summary
Common artificial sweeteners like saccharin showed mutagenic activity in bacterial tests and mouse studies. Even purified saccharin induced mutagenic effects in mouse urine, unlike other tested sweeteners.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Microbiology
- Food Science
Background:
- Artificial sweeteners are widely used in food products.
- Concerns exist regarding the potential health effects of artificial sweeteners, including mutagenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mutagenic potential of saccharin and other artificial sweeteners.
- To assess mutagenicity in bacterial assays and in vivo mouse models.
Main Methods:
- Bacterial mutagenicity tests using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100 and TA98.
- Oral administration of sweeteners to mice.
- Analysis of mutagenic activity in mouse urine and host-mediated assays.
Main Results:
- Saccharin preparations demonstrated mutagenic activity in bacterial tests and mouse urine.
- Highly purified saccharin was not directly mutagenic but induced mutagenicity in mouse urine.
- Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone and xylitol showed no detectable mutagenic activity.
Conclusions:
- Saccharin, a common artificial sweetener, exhibits mutagenic properties.
- Metabolites of saccharin in vivo may contribute to its mutagenic effects.
- Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone and xylitol appear to be non-mutagenic alternatives.