Sweeteners are a kind of food additives, which can give food a sweet taste with little or no energy and provide a variety of options for people who have sugar control needs. Due to their stable process performance and good safety, they have been widely used in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries worldwide in the past 100 years. The safety of sweeteners is based on strict food safety risk assessment, which has been affirmed by many international organizations, national/regional food safety risk assessment agencies and food safety management authorities. The proper use of sweeteners can provide sweetness, be beneficial to control energy intake, reduce the risk of dental caries, and provide more food choices for people with hyperglycemia or diabetes.
Humans ; Consensus ; Dental Caries ; Food Additives ; Sweetening Agents ; Energy Intake

Neuroinflammation is an important process underlying a wide variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Carvacrol (CAR) is a phenolic monoterpene commonly used as a food additive due to its antibacterial properties, but it has also been shown to exhibit strong antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Here, we sought to investigate the effects of CAR on inflammation in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. In our study, lipopolysaccharide was injected into the lateral ventricle of rats to induce memory impairment and neuroinflammation. Daily administration of CAR (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) for 21 days improved recognition, discrimination, and memory impairments relative to untreated controls. CAR administration significantly attenuated expression of several inflammatory factors in the brain, including interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, CAR significantly increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA, and decreased expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA. Taken together, these results show that CAR can improve memory impairment caused by neuroinflammation. This cognitive enhancement is due to the anti-inflammatory effects of CAR medicated by its regulation of BDNF and TLR4. Thus, CAR has significant potential as an inhibitor of memory degeneration in neurodegenerative diseases.
Animals ; Brain ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Cytokines ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Food Additives ; Hippocampus ; Inflammation ; Lateral Ventricles ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Memory ; Necrosis ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Phenol ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Rats ; RNA, Messenger ; Toll-Like Receptor 4

Bread ; analysis ; Child, Preschool ; Dietary Exposure ; analysis ; Flour ; analysis ; Food Additives ; analysis ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Food, Preserved ; analysis ; Humans ; Hydrocarbons ; analysis ; Infant ; Infant Formula ; analysis ; Infant, Newborn ; Risk Assessment

Formaldehyde (FA) is an environmentally-available pollutant. Since the liver acts as a detoxifier in the human body, it is the first and most affected organ in individuals exposed to higher-than-normal amounts of FA. FA mainly alters oxidant/antioxidant status and initiates oxidative stress, and by means, causes functional damage to the liver. Thus, it is important to identify natural bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties in order to be used as food additives. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is a popular flavor and also a medicinal plant with a variety of beneficial effects. In the present original study, cinnamon essential oil (CEO) has been administrated at doses of 10, 20, and 100 mg/kg, orally, to hepatotoxicity rat models caused by FA (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Liver enzymes and its histology were assessed and oxidative stress biomarkers in the liver tissue were also examined. CEO administration caused a significant increase in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase and a prominent decrease in nitric oxide levels in the liver tissue. Also, in serum samples, CEO significantly reduced the elevated amounts of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. When assessed histologically, portal area and central vein fibrosis alongside with the hepatocytes' hypereosinophilia and swelling, focal inflammation, and necrotic areas were found to be prominently decreased in the CEO group. In conclusion, our study suggested that the CEO may have the potential for being used against FA-induced hepatotoxicity.
Alanine Transaminase ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Biomarkers ; Catalase ; Cinnamomum zeylanicum ; Cinnamomum ; Fibrosis ; Food Additives ; Formaldehyde ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Human Body ; Inflammation ; Liver ; Models, Animal ; Nitric Oxide ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; Plants, Medicinal ; Rats ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Veins

We previously described a rare case of anaphylaxis presumably induced by carminic acid in cochineal dye used as a food additive. In this study, highly pure carminic acid was added to an albumin-containing buffer at various concentrations, followed by serial dilution. Varying the mixing ratio of carminic acid and albumin affected the extent of histamine release from passively sensitized basophils. Similar basophil histamine release occurred with carminic acid-globulin solutions. These results provide experimental evidence indicating that basophil activation is dependent on hapten (carminic acid) and carrier (protein) interaction.
Anaphylaxis ; Basophils ; Carmine ; Food Additives ; Histamine Release ; Hypersensitivity ; In Vitro Techniques

Porphyromonas species are closely associated with companion animal periodontitis which is one of the most common diseases in dogs and cats and leads to serious systemic diseases if left untreated. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial effects and mode of action of sodium tripolyphosphate (polyP3, Na5P3O10), a food additive with proven safety, using three pathogenic Porphyromonas species. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of polyP3 against Porphyromonas gulae, Porphyromonas cansulci, and Porphyromonas cangingivalis were between 500 and 750 mg/L. PolyP3 significantly decreased viable planktonic cells as well as bacterial biofilm formation, even at sub-MIC concentrations. PolyP3 caused bacterial membrane disruption and this effect was most prominent in P. cangingivalis, which was demonstrated by measuring the amount of nucleotide leakage from the cells. To further investigate the mode of action of polyP3, high-throughput whole-transcriptome sequencing was performed using P. gulae. Approximately 30% of the total genes of P. gulae were differentially expressed by polyP3 (> 4-fold, adjusted p value < 0.01). PolyP3 influenced the expression of the P. gulae genes related to the biosynthesis of thiamine, ubiquinone, and peptidoglycan. Collectively, polyP3 has excellent antibacterial effects against pathogenic Porphyromonas species and can be a promising agent to control oral pathogenic bacteria in companion animals.
Animals ; Bacteria ; Biofilms ; Cats ; Dogs ; Food Additives ; Friends ; Humans ; Membranes ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Peptidoglycan ; Periodontitis ; Pets ; Plankton ; Porphyromonas ; Sodium ; Thiamine ; Ubiquinone

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to examine the consumption patterns of convenience food at convenience stores, dietary habits, and perception as well as knowledge of food additives among university students. METHODS: Subjects were 352 university students in Cheongju, Korea, and data was collected by a self-administered questionnaire. They were divided into three groups according to the frequency of consumption of convenience food at convenience stores: 79 rare (≤ 1 time/month), 89 moderate (2-4 times/month) and 184 frequent (≥ 2 times/week). RESULTS: More subjects from the frequent consumption group lived apart from parents (p<0.001) and possessed more pocket money (p<0.01). Frequent consumption group consumed noodles, Kimbab, and sandwich & burger significantly more often (p<0.001, respectively) than others. In addition, frequent consumption of convenience foods at convenience stores was associated with frequent breakfast skipping (p<0.05), irregular meal time (p<0.01), snacking (p<0.05), and eating late night meal (p<0.001). More from the rare consumption group had heard about food additives previously compared to the frequent consumption group (79.7% vs. 63.6%, p<0.01). Frequent consumption group showed significantly higher score than did the rare consumption group for the following questions: monosodium glutamate is harmful to your health (p<0.05), food additives are necessary for food manufacturing (p<0.005), food additives need to be labeled on products (p<0.05), there is no food additive at all if labeled as no preservatives, no coloring, and no added sugar (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in degrees of choosing products with less food additives depending on the consumption pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provided a better understanding of the factors associated with frequent consumption of convenience foods at convenience stores among university students and will be useful to develop a nutrition education program for those who are more prone to consume convenience foods.
Breakfast ; Chungcheongbuk-do* ; Eating ; Education ; Fast Foods* ; Food Additives* ; Food Habits* ; Humans ; Korea ; Meals ; Parents ; Snacks ; Sodium Glutamate

The aim of this study was to revise the provisions for aluminum-containing food additives in GB 2760-2011 (The National Food Safety Standard for Use of Food Additives), in order to reduce aluminum exposure among the Chinese population. According to the latest risk assessment results of JECFA and China on aluminum and the actual use of aluminum-containing food additives in certain products, the aluminum-containing food additive-related provisions in GB 2760-2011 were revised. Those revisions included narrowing down the applicable food categories and adjusting the maximum use level of aluminum potassium sulfate and aluminum ammonium sulfate, repealing nine aluminum-containing food additives in puffed food and repealing the use of sodium aluminum phosphate, sodium aluminosilicate and starch aluminum octenylsuccinate in all food. After revision of the use of aluminum food additive provisions, the weekly dietary intake of aluminum in the Chinese population can be reduced to a safe level.
Aluminum ; analysis ; China ; Environmental Exposure ; prevention & control ; standards ; Food Additives ; analysis ; standards ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Humans ; Risk Assessment

Anaphylaxis is a severe and life-threatening systemic reaction. Despite the extensive evaluation to determine the cause, 30%-60% of cases of anaphylaxis in adults remain idiopathic. Recently, omalizumab treatment has been postulated to treat refractory idiopathic anaphylaxis. We report a case of idiopathic anaphylaxis treated with omalizumab and investigated its pharmacological mechanism. A 66-year-old female presented to our clinic with recurrent anaphylaxis. She suffered from anaphylaxis 2-3 times a month for 6 months. She had past medical history of nonallergic bronchial asthma. History was carefully undertaken and anaphylaxis was not related to any specific foods, drugs, exercise, and insect bites. Serum specific IgE antibodies to common food allergens showed negative results. Oral provocation tests to food additives revealed to be negative. To screen systemic mastocytosis and mast cell activating syndrome, baseline tryptase level was checked, and it was within normal range. From comprehensive evaluation, she was diagnosed as having idiopathic anaphylaxis. She could not tolerate oral medications due to gastrointestinal discomfort, therefore, omalizumab treatment (150 mg, monthly) was started. After 6 months of treatment, anaphylaxis did not occur with complete remission status. To evaluate the pharmacological mechanism of omalizumab treatment, basophil histamine releasability test was performed. Histamine releasability induced by anti-IgE did not change after 6 months of treatment, while that induced by calcium inophore decreased. Omalizumab treatment can induce remission or favorable effects on idiopathic anaphylaxis, which may be derived from increased threshold of mast cell degranulation. Long-term studies in a larger cohort will be needed to confirm its efficacy.
Adult ; Aged ; Allergens ; Anaphylaxis* ; Antibodies ; Asthma ; Basophils ; Calcium ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Food Additives ; Histamine ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Insect Bites and Stings ; Mast Cells ; Mastocytosis, Systemic ; Reference Values ; Tryptases ; Omalizumab

High intake of added sugars increases the risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are widely used in many beverages and food products to reduce calories and sugar content. NNS have higher intensity of sweetness per gram than caloric sweeteners such as sucrose, corn syrup, and fruit juice concentrates. NNS approved for use have been tested and determined to be safe at levels that are within acceptable daily intake by the Joint Food Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives. The eight items of sweeteners are regulated as food additives in Korea. Dietary intake of the sweeteners was suggested as safety level by the ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2012. If substituted for caloric sweeteners without intake of additional calories from other food sources, NNS may help consumers limit carbohydrate and energy intake as a strategy to manage blood glucose and weight. Dietitians can provide guidance on the use of NNS that give the desired results in food preparation and use at the table.
Agriculture ; Blood Glucose ; Carbohydrates ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Energy Intake ; Food Additives ; Food and Beverages ; Fruit ; Joints ; Korea ; No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level ; Non-Nutritive Sweeteners* ; Nutritionists ; Obesity ; Sucrose ; Sweetening Agents ; Zea mays