GENOTOXICITY EVALUATION OF CITRIC ACID, ASCORBIC ACID AND SODIUM CITRATE USED AS FOOD ADDITIVES IN HUMAN LYMPHOCYTES

Abstract

Objective: The use of food additives is constantly increasing with industrial development. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of commonly used citric acid, ascorbic acid, and sodium citrate on DNA in human lymphocytes by the comet assay. Material and Method: Blood samples were collected from 4 male and 4 female volunteers, aged 18 to 45 years, who had no known disease or continuous drug use, had not undergone radiological examination in the past 6 months, and were nonsmokers. Lymphocytes were isolated and incubated for 1 h with citric acid, ascorbic acid, and sodium citrate at doses of 50, 150, 300, and 600 µg/mL. Subsequently, the Comet assay was applied and the tail DNA percentage was evaluated as evidence of DNA damage using One-way Anova. Results: A limited increase in DNA damage was observed at sodium citrate doses of 300 and 600 µg/ml compared to the control group. This increase was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The dose of 600 µg/mL citric acid caused significantly higher DNA damage compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Likewise, when compared to the same dose of ascorbic acid and sodium citrate, dose of 600 µg/mL citric acid caused significantly higher DNA damage (p < 0.001). No significant change in DNA damage was observed in any other groups. Conclusion: As a result, it was found that ascorbic acid did not cause DNA damage at all doses, citric acid caused DNA damage at high doses, and sodium citrate might cause DNA damage at high doses. Although some additives are classified as antioxidants, they may cause DNA damage at high doses. Therefore, it is necessary to be aware and controlled when consuming foods containing these additives. However, more detailed studies on food additives are needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn.