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.
SALTS OF MYRISTIC, PALMITIC AND STEARIC ACID WITH BASES ACCEPTED FOR
FOOD USE
Biological Data
Biochemical aspects
Myristic, Palmitic and Stearic acid is the naturally occurring fatty
acid component of tallow and other animal fats and oils as well as
some vegetable oils. Most of the commercial and pharmaceutical
preparations also contain mixed acids. Myristic acid has been shown to
decrease the incorporation of acetyl Co A into fatty acids by liver
homogluates. (Korchak & Masoro 1964). Giving 1-C14 labelled stearic
acid to two groups of four male rats resulted in the formation of
labelled cholesterol which was widely distributed within 24 hours
after administration (De Leo & Foti 1961). Diets containing 20-40 per
cent. glycerylmonostearate depress the growth and cause high mortality
in young and adult mice. This is preventable by four per cent. oleate
or linoleate. Depot fat levels of stearate do not increase. The
mechanism of toxicity is unknown (Tove 1964). Stearic acid is only 24
per cent. digestible as measured by fat ingested and excreted in male
rats fed seven to eight days 10 per cent. of stearic acid in their
diet (Carroll & Richards 1958). Stearic acid decreases the
incorporation of acetyl Co A into fatty acids by liver homogenate
fractions (Korchak & Masoro 1964).
Comments
Myristic, palmitic and stearic acid and their salts are normal
products of the metabolism of fats and their metabolic fate is well
established. Provided the contribution of the actions does not add
excessively to the normal body load there is not need to consider the
use of these substances as hazardous in any way.
EVALUATION
Not limited except for good manufacturing practice.
REFERENCES
Carroll, K. K. & Richards, J. F, (1958) J. Nutr., 64, 411
De Leo, T. & Foti, L. (1961) Drugs affecting Lipid Metabolism Proc.
Symp. Milano, 83-88
Korchak, H. M. & Masoro, E. J. (1964) Biochim. biophys. Acta., 84,
750
Tove, S. B. (1964) J. Nutr., 84, 237