In Vitro Genotoxicity Assessment of Functional Ingredients: Betaine, Choline, and Taurine

Abstract

This article focuses on a complete in vitro genotoxicity assessment of three nutrients widely used as functional ingredients in the European market: betaine, choline, and taurine. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) tiered approach for food additives in concordance with the safety assessment of chemicals in food developed by Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) was followed; the miniaturized Ames test in Salmonella typhimurium TA97a, TA98, TA100, TA102, and TA1535 strains (following the principles of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 471), and the micronucleus test (OECD 487) in TK6 cells were performed. In addition, the in vitro standard and enzyme-modified (human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (hOGG), endonuclease III (EndoIII), 3-alkyladenine DNA glycosylase (hAAG)) comet assay (S9−/S9+) was conducted in order to assess the potential premutagenic lesions in TK6 cells. None of the compounds produced any signs of genotoxicity in any of the conditions tested. This article increases the limited evidence available and complements the EFSA recommendations for the in vitro genotoxicity testing of nutrients.

One-Pot Preparation of Hydrophilic Polylactide Porous Scaffolds by Using Safe Solvent and Choline Taurinate Ionic Liquid

“…However, in the present research, one of the main guideline was the identification of safe reactants. Although choline and taurine are molecules produced by mammalians that are largely used as supplements in human food and drinks, as as animal feed additives [41,42], the toxicity of choline taurinate was evaluated as a precautionary measure. The experiments were carried out by using chondrocytes, a cell typology that, according to the found scaffold properties, could be seeded on the scaffolds.…”

Bacterial Lux Biosensors in Genotoxicological Studies

“…The heavy hydrogen isotope deuterium (D) was discovered in 1932 [60], and the studies of its biological activity were started. The deuterium oxide (D 2 O) named "heavy water" has a negative effect on living organisms: it slows down metabolism; causes a decrease in the levels of protein and nucleic acid synthesis; inhibits mitosis at the prophase, which leads to disruption of the process of cell division and morphological changes; and decreases the rate of enzymatic reactions [48,58]. For instance, in experiments with tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo, D 2 O suppressed their division [61][62][63].…”