Cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic potential of UHT whole milk

Abstract

This study evaluated the action at the cellular level of long life whole milk, full type of six renowned companies operating in the Brazilian market, as well as in other South American countries. The evaluation was performed using root meristem cells of Allium cepa L., at exposure times 24 and 48 hours, directly in milk products marketed. The results indicated that all the milk samples reduced root meristem cell proliferation, proving, in this study, a significant cytotoxic effect. Still, exposure to milk resulted in a significant frequency of mitotic spindle changes in meristem cells, characterizing these foods as genotoxic and mutagenic under the study conditions. It can be concluded that the long life milk samples caused significant genetic instability to cells of the examined tissue. The results obtained for cytotoxic, mutagenic and genotoxic action of these long life milks are of great relevance because, to date, there are no published toxicity studies on such foods and food additives present in the composition.

Cytogenotoxicity of shakes added with synthetic microingredients

“…No anaphase and telophase cells were observed in the meristems treated with the diet products. The cytotoxic potential of industrialized products, such as the diet shakes evaluated here, can be determined by the increase or decrease in the mitotic index of cells of the tissues exposed to them (FERNANDES et al, 2007;CARVALHO et al, 2017). According to Caritá and Marin-Morales (2008), cell division indices below the negative control, when considered significant, indicate the presence of agents whose toxic action impairs the growth and development of organisms subjected to these substances.…”

“…They also soften the taste, smell and color of this food making it more attractive to the consumer. However, researchers such as Tonetto et al (2008), Sardi et al (2010), Carvalho et al (2017) and ANVISA (BRASIL, 2007) state that many food additives, such as flavoring, coloring, anti-wetting, thickener, emulsifiers and sweeteners, among others, raise doubts about their potential cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects.…”

Cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of industrialized powdered milk for infants and young children

“…Thus, there is relevance and urgency for research that, through suitable bioassays, evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of foods added with synthetic micro ingredients. These evaluations are necessary for the promotion of food safety, since, according to Carvalho, Sales, and Peron (2017) and the development of the most common types of cancer results from the interaction between endogenous and environmental factors, especially the diet when it is made up of over-industrialized foods. Nevertheless, after a thorough search in the scientific databases, no cellular toxicity assessment studies related to industrialized dehydrated milk, in general, were found.…”

Developing the Methods of Food Preservatives Extraction From Complex Matrices for Bioassay Purpose

“…Currently, the Allium test is widely and successfully used to study the toxic, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of food additives [6]. Several papers have also been published, in which onion roots were placed directly in food products such as drinks, juices, and milk [7,8,9]. However, these experiments are not so unambiguous, because high concentration of carbohydrates in drinks and juices, and the presence of emulsion in milk are undesirable factors in the Allium test.…”