Risk Assessment for the Combinational Effects of Food Color Additives: Neural Progenitor Cells and Hippocampal Neurogenesis

Abstract

In 2006, the Korea Food and Drug Administration reported that combinations of dietary colors such as allura red AC (R40), tartrazine (Y4), sunset yellow FCF (Y5), amaranth (R2), and brilliant blue FCF (B1) are widely used in food manufacturing. Although individual tar food colors are controlled based on acceptable daily intake (ADI), there is no apparent information available for how combinations of these additives affect food safety. In the current study, the potencies of single and combination use of R40, Y4, Y5, R2, and B1 were examined on neural progenitor cell (NPC) toxicity, a biomarker for developmental stage, and neurogenesis, indicative of adult central nervous system (CNS) functions. R40 and R2 reduced NPC proliferation and viability in mouse multipotent NPC, in the developing CNS model. Among several combinations tested in mouse model, combination of Y4 and B1 at 1000-fold higher than average daily intake in Korea significantly decreased numbers of newly generated cells in adult mouse hippocampus, indicating potent adverse actions on hippocampal neurogenesis. However, other combinations including R40 and R2 did not affect adult hippocampal neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. Evidence indicates that single and combination use of most tar food colors may be safe with respect to risk using developmental NPC and adult hippocampal neurogenesis. However, the response to excessively high dose combination of Y4 and B1 is suggestive of synergistic effects to suppress proliferation of NPC in adult hippocampus. Data indicated that combinations of tar colors may adversely affect both developmental and adult hippocampal neurogenesis; thus, further extensive studies are required to assess the safety of these additive combinations.

Capsaicin Impairs Proliferation of Neural Progenitor Cells and Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Young Mice

“…Hippocampal neurogenesis decreases with aging (Kuhn et al, 1996) and is affected by environmental toxins such as the gamma-diketone compound 2,5-HD and acrylamide (Kim et al, 2009b;Park et al, 2010). It is of interest that environmental pollutants, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and food additives were reported to affect developing embryonic and hippocampal neurogenesis (Kim et al, 2009a;Kreiling et al, 2000;Park et al, 2009). Although in vivo experiments were performed with 0.1-, 1-, and 10-mg/kg doses of capsaicin, higher doses of capsaicin (1 and 10 mg/kg) increased incidences of mortality and morbidity, including lethargy and pain; thus, the current study excluded data obtained from high dose of capsaicin (data not shown).…”

Nanocarbon–{[Na10(PrW10O36)]2·130H2O} composite to detect toxic food coloring dyes at nanolevel

“…Even at low concentration, these water-soluble dyes disturb the ecosystem and dramatically affect the vertebrates and human health (Park et al 2009). …”

Effect of Food Azo Dye Tartrazine on Learning and Memory Functions in Mice and Rats, and the Possible Mechanisms Involved

“…Food additives play a vital role in today's bountiful and nutritious food supply, they allow our growing population to enjoy a variety of safe, wholesome, and tasty foods year round (Amin and others 2010). Especially, color additives are defined as any dye, pigment, or other substance that imparts color to a food, drug, or cosmetic (Park and others 2009). Tartrazine (otherwise known as E102 or FD&C Yellow 5) is a synthetic lemon yellow azo dye used as a food coloring.…”