Genotoxicity Testing of Two Anticaking Agents: Sodium and Potassium Ferrocyanide in vitro

Abstract

Anticaking agents are mainly used in food to prevent agglomeration in certain solids, permitting a free-flowing condition. Sodium and potassium ferrocyanide are among the popular anticaking agents which are used in table salt. The present study focuses on the genotoxic effect of sodium and potassium ferrocyanide on human lymphocyte. Human lymphocytes were exposed to the sodium and potassium ferrocyanide at concentrations ranging from 0 to 10 mM for 3 h at 37oC. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion test and resazurin test was carried for cell viability. To assess the extent of DNA damage comet assay was performed. The results show that potassium ferrocyanide was cytotoxic and genotoxic at the concentrations tested, whereas, sodium ferrocyanide was non genotoxic.