Nutritional and pathological effects of sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate and polyoxyethylene monolaurate when fed to hamsters

Abstract

1. 1. Sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, and polyoxyethylene monolaurate were fed at levels of 5 and 15% in nutritionally complete synthetic diets to groups of 36 hamsters for 68 days. 2. 2. All groups fed these test substances showed a poorer weight increase and less efficient utilization of the diet than control groups fed 5 and 15% hydrogenated oils. 3. 3. Diarrhea developed in all groups except those fed 5% sorbitan monolaurate and those fed 5, 7.5 and 15% hydrogenated oils. 4. 4. Compared to the control groups, mortality was higher in all the test groups except that group which received 5% sorbitan monolaurate; the mortality was higher in the groups fed the test substances at the 15% level than at the 5% level. No hamster survived the feeding of 15% polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate or 15% polyoxyethylene monolaurate. 5. 5. The histopathological results indicated that the three test substances were irritating to the gastrointestinal tract and the tubular epithelium of the kidneys and that they inhibited gonadal maturation.