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

Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen. 2020 Jan:849:503142. doi: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2020.503142. Epub 2020 Jan 21.

Abstract

E171 (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.

Keywords: Chromosomal aberrations; Particles internalization; Phytotoxicity; Root ultrastructure; TiO(2) particles.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromosome Aberrations / drug effects
  • Endocytosis / drug effects
  • Food Additives / toxicity*
  • Germination / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lens Plant / drug effects*
  • Lens Plant / metabolism
  • Lens Plant / ultrastructure
  • Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Mitotic Index / statistics & numerical data
  • Mutagens / toxicity*
  • Nanoparticles / toxicity*
  • Onions / drug effects*
  • Onions / metabolism
  • Onions / ultrastructure
  • Plant Roots / drug effects
  • Plant Roots / metabolism
  • Plant Roots / ultrastructure
  • Titanium / toxicity*

Substances

  • Food Additives
  • Mutagens
  • titanium dioxide
  • Titanium