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.


    ACETYLATED DISTARCH GLYCEROL

    Modification is carried out with epichlorhydrin to a maximum of 0.3
    per cent. and acetic anhydride to a maximum of five per cent. The
    amount of acetyl groups introduced does not exceed 2.5 per cent.
    Further treatment, such as bleaching, is often carried out.

    Biological Data

    Biochemical aspects

    No separate tests on enzymic hydrolysis are available but it is very
    likely that this modified starch behaves like starch acetate and
    distarch glycerol, both of which are somewhat less accessible to
    enzymic degradation. The caloric value was determined by reference to
    a dose-response curve established in groups of 10 male rats given a
    basic diet with graded supplements of 0, 0.075 g, 1.5 g, 3.0 g and 4.5
    g sucrose equivalent to 0, 3, 6, 12 and 18 calories per day. Starches
    modified by the use of 0.1 per cent. epichlorhydrin + 5.5 per cent.
    acetic anhydride and 0.3 per cent. epichlorhydrin + 5.5 per cent.
    acetic anhydride were tested against native starch at levels of
    supplementation of 1.5 g and 3.0 g per day for 28 days. Weight gain on
    modified starch supplement was slightly reduced compared with that on
    unmodified starch. All rats remained normally active and healthy. The
    caloric estimates were similar for both levels of epichlorhydrin
    treatment (Oser, 1961).

    Acute toxicity

    None available.

    Short-term studies

    Rat. Groups of 15 male and 15 female rats were fed for 90 days on
    diets containing 50 per cent. either normal or modified starch (0.3
    per cent. epichlorhydrin + 10.5 per cent. acetic anhydride). Two
    modified starches of this sort were tested, each containing 3.1 per
    cent acetyl. There were no deaths. The growth rate of male rats was
    significantly lower compared with controls on unmodified starch. The
    full and empty casual weights of both male and female rats in the test
    groups were significantly greater than in controls. Haematology, blood
    chemistry, urinalysis, organ weights and gross as well as histological
    examination were normal (Oser, 1964).

    Comments

    The available data do not permit the establishment of a no-effect
    level. The interpretation of increased caecal weights is discussed in
    the thirteenth report (see Annex 1, Ref. 18). Adequate metabolic
    studies preferably in man and 90-day studies in two species (one a
    non-rodent mammal) are required.

    EVALUATION

    Not possible on the data available.

    REFERENCES

    Oser, M. (1961) Unpublished report by Food & Drug Research
    Laboratories Inc. No. 81774, 1st June 1961, submitted by the National
    Starch and Chemical Corporation

    Oser, B. L. (1964) Unpublished report by Food & Drug Research
    Laboratories Inc. No. 85554, 16th October 1964, submitted by the
    National Starch and Chemical Corporation
    

    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Acetylated distarch glycerol (WHO Food Additives Series 1)
       Acetylated distarch glycerol (WHO Food Additives Series 5)
       Acetylated distarch glycerol (WHO Food Additives Series 17)
       ACETYLATED DISTARCH GLYCEROL (JECFA Evaluation)