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Listen to this siteWednesday 11 May 2005
This research project sought to determine whether 1,3-DCP and 2,3-DCP were genotoxic when tested using standard in vivo genotoxicity tests.
Study Duration : April 2002 to November 2003
Contractor : Covance Laboratories Ltd
1,3-DCP and 2,3-DCP may be present as contaminants in some processed foods. 1,3-DCP has been found to occur in some samples of soy sauce ( Food Survey Information Sheet 15/01; 2001 ).
Previous studies had shown 1,3-DCP caused mutations when tested in several in vitro systems. More limited in vitro mutagenicity studies carried out with 2,3-DCP supported the conclusion that it too is mutagenic in vitro .
The Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COM) had recommended that further research was required to find out if the effects that had been demonstrated in vitro were expressed in vivo (that is in living animals).
1,3-DCP and 2,3-DCP were evaluated for their in vivo genotoxic potential using the two well-validated assays recommended in the COM guidelines for testing of chemicals for mutagenicity.
The assays were selected to reflect two different types of genotoxic effect in two different tissues of the rat. These were the rat bone marrow micronucleus test, which measures potential to cause chromosome damage, and induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in rat liver, which is an indicator of repair to damaged DNA.
This project investigated the genotoxicity of 1,3- and 2,3-DCP using two standard in vivo assays: (a) the rat bone marrow micronucleus tests; and (b) unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in rat liver. These assays are recommended by the Committee of Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COM) in its guidance for testing for mutagenicity.
1,3- and 2,3-DCP did not induce micronuclei in bone marrow cells, or UDS in rat liver cells.
The results of studies on these two compounds were considered by the Committees of Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment.
The final report is available from the FSA Library and Information centre. To obtain a copy, please contact the Enquiry Desk, Dr Elsie Widdowson Library and Information Services, Food Standards Agency (tel: 020 7276 8181/8182 or email: library&info@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk ).
The data were assessed by both COM and the Committee of Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC) who each published a Statement. These can be viewed at the following links:
COC:
(External)
www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/coc/1,3-2,3dcp04.htm
COM statement 1,3-DCP:
(External)
http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/com/1,3-dcp.htm
COM statement 2,3-DCP:
(External)
http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/com/2,3dcp04.htm
Contact
: For any enquiries concerning this research project, please contact the relevant Programme contact or email
science@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
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