Genotoxicity of the food additive E171, titanium dioxide, in the plants Lens culinaris L. and Allium cepa L

Publication date: Available online 21 January 2020Source: Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental MutagenesisAuthor(s): Lorenza Bellani, Simonetta Muccifora, Francesco Barbieri, Eliana Tassi, Monica Ruffini Castiglione, Lucia GiorgettiAbstractE171 (titanium dioxide, TiO2), an authorized foods and beverage additive, is also used in food packaging and in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations. E171 is considered to be an inert and non-digestible material, not storable in animal tissues, but the possible presence of TiO2 nanoparticles (NP) may present a risk to human health and the environment. We determined the presence of 15% TiO2 NP in a commercial E171 food additive product, by electron microscopy. The biological effects of E171 were assessed in Lens culinaris and Allium cepa for the following endpoints: percentage of germination, root elongation, mitotic index, presence of chromosomal abnormalities, and micronuclei. The results indicated low phytotoxicity but dose-dependent genotoxicity. We also observed internalization of TiO2 NP and ultrastructural alterations in the root systems.
Source: Mutation Research Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research