Toxicological Impact of Amaranth, Sunset Yellow and Curcumin as Food Coloring Agents in Albino Rats

BACKGROUND: In this study the possible toxic effects of prolonged administration of three of the widely used food coloring agents are tested. METHODS: Adult female albino rats were administered amaranth (4.7 and 47 mg/kg body weight), sunset yellow (31.5 and 315 mg/kg bwt.) and curcumin (15.75 and 157.5 mg/kg bwt.) at doses equal to and 10 times the acceptable daily intake (ADI). Following which liver and kidney parameters (glutathione, lipid peroxides, activities of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase and urea and creatinine concentration) were measured. Furthermore, the effects of these coloring agents on blood picture and on the development of rat embryo were also studied. RESULTS: Our study revealed no effect of amaranth and sunset yellow on liver and kidney glutathione and lipid peroxide levels. Oral administration of curcumin in its low and high doses for 2 months decreased hepatic lipid peroxide concentration. Colorants also did not alter the liver and kidney function when given at the ADI dose but administration of sunset yellow at doses equaling 10 times ADI increased aminotransferases and that of amaranth at 10 times ADI elevated alkaline phosphatase levels. Administration of amaranth at 10 times ADI dose caused skeletal abnormalities in 25% of the examined foeti. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded that high doses of 47 mg/kg bwt. of amaranth and sunset yellow could impair hepatic function. Moreover, based on the results from this study, amaranth should be avoided during pregnancy. Conflicting Interest: None declared This article has been peer reviewed. Article Submitted on: 15th April 2011 Article Accepted on: 15th June, 2011 Funding sources: Cairo University, Giza, Egypt and National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt Correspondence to Gihan Farag Assad Address: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah, KSA Email: shammousa2002 @yahoo.com