Toxicological Characteristics of Bacterial Nanocellulose in an In Vivo Experiment—Part 1: The Systemic Effects
Vladimir A. Shipelin,
Ekaterina A. Skiba,
Vera V. Budayeva,
Antonina A. Shumakova,
Alexey I. Kolobanov,
Ilya E. Sokolov,
Kirill Z. Maisaya,
Galina V. Guseva,
Nikita V. Trusov,
Alexander G. Masyutin,
Yanina A. Delegan,
Yulia N. Kocharovskaya,
Alexander G. Bogun,
Ivan V. Gmoshinski,
Sergey A. Khotimchenko,
Dmitry B. Nikityuk
Affiliations
Vladimir A. Shipelin
Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, 109240 Moscow, Russia
Ekaterina A. Skiba
Institute for Problems of Chemical and Energetic Technologies, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 659322 Biysk, Russia
Vera V. Budayeva
Institute for Problems of Chemical and Energetic Technologies, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 659322 Biysk, Russia
Antonina A. Shumakova
Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, 109240 Moscow, Russia
Alexey I. Kolobanov
Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, 109240 Moscow, Russia
Ilya E. Sokolov
Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, 109240 Moscow, Russia
Kirill Z. Maisaya
Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, 109240 Moscow, Russia
Galina V. Guseva
Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, 109240 Moscow, Russia
Nikita V. Trusov
Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, 109240 Moscow, Russia
Alexander G. Masyutin
Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
Yanina A. Delegan
Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of Russian Academy of Sciences”, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
Yulia N. Kocharovskaya
Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of Russian Academy of Sciences”, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
Alexander G. Bogun
Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Microorganisms, Federal Research Center “Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of Russian Academy of Sciences”, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
Ivan V. Gmoshinski
Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, 109240 Moscow, Russia
Sergey A. Khotimchenko
Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, 109240 Moscow, Russia
Dmitry B. Nikityuk
Federal Research Centre of Nutrition, Biotechnology and Food Safety, 109240 Moscow, Russia
Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is being considered as a potential replacement for microcrystalline cellulose as a food additive and a source of dietary fiber due to its unique properties. However, studies on the risks of consuming BNC in food are limited, and it is not yet approved for use in food in the US, EU, and Russia. Aim: This study aims to perform a toxicological and hygienic assessment of the safety of BNC in a subacute 8-week administration in rats. Methods: BNC was administered to male Wistar rats in doses of 0, 1.0, 10.0, and 100 mg/kg body weight for 8 weeks. Various parameters such as anxiety levels, cognitive function, organ masses, blood serum and liver biochemistry, oxidative stress markers, vitamin levels, antioxidant gene expression, and liver and kidney histology were evaluated. Results: Low and medium doses of BNC increased anxiety levels and liver glutathione, while high doses led to elevated LDL cholesterol, creatinine, and uric acid levels. Liver tissue showed signs of degeneration at high doses. BNC did not significantly affect vitamin levels. Conclusion: The adverse effects of BNC are either not dose-dependent or fall within normal physiological ranges. Any effects on rats are likely due to micronutrient deficiencies or impacts on intestinal microbiota.