Food Additive E171 May Impact Human Health

E171, a mixture of micro- and nano-sized particles of titanium dioxide (TiO2), is commonly used in high quantities in foods and some medicines as a whitening agent. Found in more than 900 food products such as chewing gum and mayonnaise, E171 is consumed in high proportion everyday by the general population. A new study, conducted in mice, provides evidence that TiO2 nanoparticles may have a substantial and harmful influence on human health.

TiO2 triggers biofilm formation by commensal bacteria: (A, B) the clustering effect of TiO2 on (A) E. coli and (B) E. faecalis in vitro was visualized by Nanolive imaging in the presence of 0, 0.5, 1, or 50 μg/ml TiO2 after 24 h incubation. False-coloring was applied to images based on refractive index, where black represents the refractive index of TiO2 and green represents bacteria. Image credit: Pinget et al, doi: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00057.

TiO2 triggers biofilm formation by commensal bacteria: (A, B) the clustering effect of TiO2 on (A) E. coli and (B) E. faecalis in vitro was visualized by Nanolive imaging in the presence of 0, 0.5, 1, or 50 μg/ml TiO2 after 24 h incubation. False-coloring was applied to images based on refractive index, where black represents the refractive index of TiO2 and green represents bacteria. Image credit: Pinget et al, doi: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00057.

While nanoparticles have been commonly used in medicines, foods, clothing, and other applications, the possible impacts of nanoparticles, especially their long term effects, are still poorly understood.

Consumption of TiO2 has considerably increased in the last decade and has already been linked to several medical conditions, and although it is approved in food, there is insufficient evidence about its safety.

“It is well established that dietary composition has an impact on physiology and health, yet the role of food additives is poorly understood,” said Professor Wojciech Chrzanowski, a nanotoxicology expert at the University of Sydney.

“There is increasing evidence that continuous exposure to nanoparticles has an impact on gut microbiota composition, and since gut microbiota is a gate keeper of our health, any changes to its function have an influence on overall health.”

“Our research presents pivotal evidence that consumption of food containing E171 affects gut microbiota as well as inflammation in the gut, which could lead to diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer.”

The study showed that TiO2 interacts with bacteria in the gut and impairs some of their functions which may result in the development of diseases.

“This study investigated effects of TiO2 on gut health in mice and found that TiO2 did not change the composition of gut microbiota, but instead it affected bacteria activity and promoted their growth in a form of undesired biofilm,” said Dr. Laurence Macia, also from the University of Sydney.

“We are saying that its consumption should be better regulated by food authorities.”

“Finally, our work highlights the need for further research into how TiO2, on its own and in combination with other food additives, affects human health,” the scientists said.

“Such research would better inform the regulation of food additives such TiO2 and thus potentially reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases associated with the western lifestyle.”

The research was published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.

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Gabriela Pinget et al. Impact of the Food Additive Titanium Dioxide (E171) on Gut Microbiota-Host Interaction. Front. Nutr, published online May 14, 2019; doi: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00057

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