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
    

    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations