WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

    WHO Food Additives Series 1972, No. 1




    TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF SOME 
    ENZYMES, MODIFIED STARCHES AND 
    CERTAIN OTHER SUBSTANCES




    The evaluations contained in this publication were prepared by the
    Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives which met in Rome,
    16-24 June 19711





    World Health Organization

    Geneva

    1972





                   

    1 Fifteenth Report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food
    Additives, Wld Hlth Org. techn. Rep. Ser., 1972, No. 488; FAO
    Nutrition Meetings Report Series, 1972, No. 50.

    The monographs contained in the present volume are also issued by the
    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, as FAO
    Nutrition Meetings Report Series, No. 50A

    (c) FAO and WHO 1972


    HYDROXYPROPYL DISTARCH PHOSPHATE

    Modification is carried out with 0.1 per cent. phosphorus oxychloride
    and 8-10 per cent. of propylene oxide. Cross-linkage would be no
    greater than is experienced on modification with phosphorus
    oxychloride alone and ether linkages would probably not exceed 20 per
    100 anhydroglucose units.

    Biological data

    Biochemical aspects

    Digestibility was tested in groups of 5 rats fed for 7 days a basal
    diet supplemented by 0, 1 g and 3 g modified or control starch.  No
    difference in weight gain was observed (Prier, 1961).

    In a caloric utilization study groups of 10 male rats were fed for 10
    days either unmodified starch or starch modified with 3 per cent., 6
    per cent. or 8 per cent. propylene oxide as well as 0.0123 per cent.
    phosphorus oxychloride equivalent to a degree of substitution ranging
    from 0.085 to 0.23.  There was a slight decrease in caloric
    utilization with increasing degree of modification.  Diarrhoea
    occurred whenever 4 g modified starch was included in the daily ration
    but also at the 2 g/day level with the more highly modified starches.
    The relative organ weight of the empty caecum was always increased at
    the 4 g/day level but also at the 2 g/day level with the 2 highly
    modified starches.  Histological examination of the heart, liver,
    spleen, kidney and caecum revealed no obvious abnormalities related to
    treatment.  Similar data were obtained in a series of tests using
    starches modified in the intermediate range of degree of substitution
    by the use of propylene oxide and phosphorus oxychloride (Porter,
    1971).

    Short-term studies

    Rat

    Groups of 10 male rats were fed diets containing 17, 34, 51, or 68 per
    cent. modified starch for 28 days.  Growth and bodyweights were
    reduced compared with controls at the two highest levels tested.  The
    relative organ weights of empty caeca were raised at all levels tested
    and the extent of the increase was dose-related. No histological
    abnormalities were seen in heart, liver, spleen, kidney and caecum
    (Porter, 1971).

    Long-term studies

    None available.

    Comments

    Only data from caloric utilization studies are available.  Although it
    might be feasible to use the data from related modified starches to
    arrive at an evaluation there is a need for at least 1 short-term
    study at different levels to ensure that no toxicity exists unique to
    this modified starch.

    EVALUATION

    Not possible on the evidence available.

    Further work required by 1973

    Appropriate 90-day studies in 2 species.

    REFERENCES

    Porter, M. W. (1971) Unpublished report submitted to WHO by A. E.
    Staley Manufacturing Co.

    Prier, R. T. (1961) Unpublished report of Wisconsin Alumni Research
    Foundation No. 1031347/8, submitted by Stein, Hall & Co., Inc.
    

    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate  (FAO Nutrition Meetings Report Series 46a)
       Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (WHO Food Additives Series 5)
       Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (WHO Food Additives Series 6)
       HYDROXYPROPYL DISTARCH PHOSPHATE (JECFA Evaluation)