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.


    ARABIC GUM

    Biological Data

    Biochemical aspects

    Arabic gum is almost completely digested by guinea-pigs (O'Dell et
    al., 1957).

    At dietary levels of less than 10 per cent., arabic gum is fully
    absorbed with a caloric equivalent of four calories per gram (Shue et
    al., 1962).

    Acute toxicity

    No data available. Sensitivity reactions have been reported in man,
    e.g. asthma in printers (Brown & Crepea, 1947; Bohner et al., 1941;
    Sprague, 1942; Fowler, 1952).

    Short-term studies

    Rat. Groups of rats were fed 0 per cent. or 15 per cent. arabic gum
    in their diet for 62 days. A cathartic effect was observed but weight
    gain, food efficiency, haematological findings and organ weights were
    normal (Booth et al., 1963).

    Guinea-pig. Groups of 10 and 20 guinea-pigs were fed 15 per cent.
    powdered arabic gum for six weeks. Controls received no bulk food in
    their diet. Weight gain was improved in the test groups (Booth et al.,
    1949).

    Rabbit. A group of four rabbits was given 20 per cent. arabic gum in
    a casein diet for four weeks. Weight gain improved significantly in
    the test groups (Hove & Herndon, 1957).

    Dog. Three dogs were given 32-35 intravenous injections of acacia
    over a period of 76 days at a total cumulative dosage ranging from
    15.7-47.7 g/kg. The dog on the largest dose died with an enlarged
    liver but unexplained cause of death four months after its last
    injection. The other two dogs remained in good condition; biopsy
    showed acacia present in their livers 26 months after their last
    injections (Smalley et al., 1945).

    Man. Nine patients with nephrotic edema received one to six
    intravenous injections of acacia over periods up to eight weeks, with
    total doses ranging from 80-325 g. There were no signs or symptoms of
    liver enlargement, and no other complications. Five of these patients
    excreted in the urine 5.5 per cent. to 38 per cent. of a single dose
    during periods ranging from 10-30 days respectively (Johnson & Newman,
    1945).

    Long-term studies

    None available.

    Comments

    The biochemical information available is sparse but it has been
    demonstrated in the rat that this gum is completely metabolized when
    it comprises less than 10 per cent. of the diet. The substance has
    been used in food and pharmaceutical preparations for many years.
    Studies of the metabolic fate in man are desirable.

    EVALUATION

    Not limited except for good manufacturing practice.

    REFERENCES

    Bohner, C. B., Sheldon, J. M. & Trenis, J. W. (1941) J. Allergy, 12,
    290

    Booth, A. N., Elvehjem, C. A. & Hart, E. B, (1949) J. Nutr., 37, 263

    Booth, A. N., Hendrickson, A. P. & De Eds, F. (1963) Toxicol. app.
    Pharmacol., 5, 478

    Brown, E. B. & Crepea, S. B. (1947) J. Allergy 18, 214

    Fowler, P. B. S. (1952) Lancet, 2, 755

    Hove, E. L. & Herndon, F. J. (1957) J. Nutr., 63, 193

    Johnson, J. B. & Newman, L. H. (1945) Arch. intern. Med., 76, 167

    O'Dell, B. L. et al. (1957) J. Nutr., 63, 65

    Shue, G. M., Douglass, C. D. & Friedman, L. (1962) Fed. Proc., 21,
    (2), 91

    Smalley, R. E. et al. (1945) Arch. intern. Mod., 76, 39

    Sprague, P. H. (1942) Canad. med. Ass. J., 47, 253
    

    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Arabic gum (WHO Food Additives Series 5)
       Arabic gum (WHO Food Additives Series 17)