Abstract
Acetogenins are bioactive fatty acid derivatives found in avocado tissues. Their efficacy as antimicrobials has been documented and initiated interest to use them as replacements of synthetic food additives. The present work focused on evaluation of multiple analytical methodologies for detection and quantification of organic solids present in a food-grade acetogenin-enriched extract (Avosafe®), and on its safety evaluations using bacterial reverse mutation (AMES) tests and acute oral toxicity to rat assays. Results confirmed chemical structures of two acetogenins as present in Avosafe® (AcO-avocadyne-(0) and AcO-avocadiene B-(3)), and together with seven other previously known compounds, quantified 94.74 ± 5.77% w/w of its solids as acetogenins. Safety evaluations indicated that Avosafe® was non-mutagenic and had an acute median lethal oral dose (LD50) to rats higher than the maximum concentration tested (>2000 mg·kg−1), with no signs of macroscopic abnormalities in organs. Mean body weight and hematological and biochemical parameters were normal after 14 days of a single oral dose of 2000 mg·kg−1. The results advance scientific information on the safety of avocado seed acetogenins and also generate new knowledge on profiles and concentrations of individual acetogenins found in avocado tissues (seed, pulp, and leaves) and in Avosafe®.
Highlights
Lauraceous acetogenins are a family of biologically active derivatives from long chain fatty acids [1]
Seven major chromatographic peaks (1 to 6 and 7 in Figure 1A) were detected in the acetogenin-enriched extract (Avosafe® ) using HPLC separation coupled to a photodiode array (PDA)
evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) was able to detect a new chromatographic peak that eluted earlier (0, Figure 1A), which was visible using ESI-TOF-MS detection (0, Figure 1B) under conditions previously optimized for avocado acetogenins [4], but was not visible by PDA detection
Summary
Lauraceous acetogenins are a family of biologically active derivatives from long chain fatty acids [1] This family of phytochemicals has been reported to be exclusively present in species of the genus Persea (family: Lauraceae) [1] and are found in different varieties and tissues (peel, pulp, and seed [2], as well as in leaves [3]) of avocado fruit (Persea americana Mill.). Molecules 2019, 24, 2354 germination of bacterial endospores [4,5] and to act as listericidal additives [6,7] Initial studies on their ability to inhibit bacterial endospores were performed using acetogenin-enriched extracts purified in a laboratory setting using bioassay-guided isolation [4]. Prior studies documented that acetogenins were stable under relevant food processing conditions (temperature, pressure, salt, pH), and were capable of controlling
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