Chronic Toxicity Studies on Food Colours

Abstract
New Coccine and Nigrosine, at levels of 0·03, 0·3 and 3·0 per cent in the diet, had no effect on mortality in male or female rats. In groups receiving Malachite Green at levels of 0·3 and 3·0 per cent in the diet there was 100 per cent mortality within the first week of the experiment. Female rats receiving Malachite Green at 0·03 per cent or Nigrosine at 3·0 per cent in the diet showed a significant decrease in growth rate. For the group on Malachite Green this was accompanied by a decrease in food consumption. In both male and female rats receiving Nigrosine at 3·0 per cent in the diet, there was an increase in the organ-body weight ratio for liver and kidneys. Histopathological changes attributed to the toxic effects of the colours were noted in kidneys and testes.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: