The toxicology and safety of apple polyphenol extract

Food Chem Toxicol. 2004 Jun;42(6):959-67. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2004.02.008.

Abstract

Apple polyphenol extract has strong antioxidant activity and various physiological functions, and is used in Japan as a food additive and nutritional supplements. Here, we tested the consumption safety of Applephenon, which is a polyphenol extract produced from unripe apples. The Ames test without S9 mixture revealed that Applephenon, had slight mutagenicity at a high concentration of 2500 microg/plate; however, both chromosomal aberration test and the micronucleus test found no significant mutagenicity. Furthermore, an acute oral-toxicity test, and a 90-day subchronic-toxicity test showed no significant hematological, clinical, chemical, histopathological, or urinary effects at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. These results confirm that Applephenon is safe and no toxic at average dietary level.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Chromosome Aberrations
  • DNA Damage*
  • Female
  • Flavonoids / isolation & purification
  • Flavonoids / toxicity*
  • Food Additives / isolation & purification
  • Food Additives / toxicity*
  • Fruit / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Micronucleus Tests
  • Mutagenicity Tests
  • Phenols / isolation & purification
  • Phenols / toxicity*
  • Polyphenols
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Salmonella typhimurium / genetics

Substances

  • Flavonoids
  • Food Additives
  • Phenols
  • Polyphenols