INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME ON CHEMICAL SAFETY

    WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION



    TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF SOME
    FOOD COLOURS, EMULSIFIERS, STABILIZERS,
    ANTI-CAKING AGENTS AND CERTAIN
    OTHER SUBSTANCES



    FAO Nutrition Meetings Report Series 
    No. 46A WHO/FOOD ADD/70.36




    The content of this document is the result of the deliberations of the
    Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives which met in Rome,
    27 May - 4 June 19691





    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

    World Health Organization



                   
    1 Thirteenth report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food
    Additives, FAO Nutrition Meetings Report Series, in press;
    Wld Hlth Org. techn.  Rep. Ser., in press.


    DISTARCH PHOSPHATE (prepared using Phosphorus Oxychloride)

    Biological Data

    Cross-linking of starch chains may be produced also by the use of
    phosphorus oxychloride. Although theoretically likely, there is no
    relevant chemical evidence available to show that modification by
    phosphorus oxychloride in fact produces distarch phosphate. The
    maximum number of phosphate bridges could reach one per 100
    glucopyranose units.

    Biochemical aspects

    In vitro digestibility by pancreatin of corn or potato starch
    modified with 0.05 per cent. or 0.1 per cent. phosphorus oxychloride
    was found to be similar to the unmodified starch. (Janzen, 1969).
    Caloric value was determined for starch treated with 0.06 per cent.
    POCl3 in groups of six male and six female rats receiving 52 per
    cent. of distarch phosphate for six weeks as sole carbohydrate source
    in their diet. No differences were noted between modified and
    unmodified starches (Oser, 1954).

    Acute toxicity

    None available.

    Short-term studies

    None available.

    Long-term studies

    None available.

    Comments

    Phosphorus oxychloride appears, at least theoretically, to produce
    distarch phosphates similar to those formed from trimetaphosphate.
    However there is no evidence that the chemically more reactive
    phosphorus oxychloride might not cause reactions leading to
    undetermined by-products. No short or long-term studies are available.
    The metabolic behaviour of the moiety containing the phosphate groups
    has not been studied. Adequate 90-day studies in at least two species
    (one a non-rodent mammal) and metabolic studies preferably in man are
    required.

    EVALUATION

    Not possible on the data available.

    REFERENCES

    Janzen, G. J. (1969) Unpublished report submitted by Association des
    Amidonneries de Mais

    Oser, B. L. (1954) Unpublished report No. 69190 a-i by Food and Drug
    Laboratories submitted by American Maize Products Co.
    

    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations