Intestinal absorption of two potential polymeric food additives in man

• Published in: Food and cosmetics toxicology Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 201 - 203
• Main Authors: Walson, P.D., Carter, D.E., Ryerson, B.A., Halladay, S.C., Parkinson, T.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 01.06.1979
• Subjects: Adult; agricultural products; analysis; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - metabolism; consumer education; consumer protection; Feces; Feces - analysis; Food Additives; Food Additives - metabolism; Food Coloring Agents; Food Coloring Agents - metabolism; human nutrition; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; Male; metabolism; Polymers; Polymers - metabolism; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0015-6264
• DOI: 10.1016/0015-6264(79)90282-7

Intestinal absorption of two 14C-labelled polymeric compounds, an antioxidant (D00079) and a red colouring (D00478) being developed for use in foods, was measured in healthy adult male volunteers. Two groups of six subjects each ingested 50 μCi of either compound in gelatin capsules. Blood, urine and faecal samples were collected at intervals for 4 days following ingestion and were analysed for radioactivity by combustion analysis or direct scintillation spectrometry. No radioactivity was detected in any blood samples with either compound. The 96-hr urine samples contained an average of 0·02 and 0·04% of the administered doses of D00079 and D00478, respectively. Faecal recoveries after 96 hr were 93·7% for D00079 and 79·0% for D00478. There was no correlation between faecal recoveries and urinary excretion for either compound. Blood and urine data indicate that both compounds were only minimally absorbed in man, confirming earlier results in rats, mice, guinea-pigs and rabbits.