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Published on: March 20, 2012
Embryotoxicity and teratogenicity study with erythritol in rats
A E Smits-van Prooije1, D H Waalkens-Berendsen, A Bär
1TNO-Nutrition and Food Research Institute, Zeist, The Netherlands.
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology : RTP
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Erythritol, a sugar substitute, showed no embryotoxic or teratogenic effects in rats even at high doses. This study confirms the safety of erythritol during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Reproductive Science
- Food Science
Background:
- Erythritol is a popular low-calorie sugar substitute.
- Assessing the safety of food additives during pregnancy is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential embryotoxicity and teratogenicity of erythritol in a rodent model.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rats were fed diets containing 0%, 2.5%, 5%, or 10% erythritol from gestation day 0 to 21.
- Maternal health, reproductive performance, and fetal development (external, visceral, skeletal) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Erythritol was well-tolerated with no mortality. A slight reduction in maternal weight gain was noted at the highest dose.
- No significant adverse effects on reproductive performance or fetal development were observed.
- No fetotoxic, embryotoxic, or teratogenic effects were detected.
Conclusions:
- Erythritol is safe at doses up to 6.6 g/kg body weight/day.
- The study supports the safety of erythritol consumption during gestation.
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