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    STARCH ACETATE

    Explanation

         This modified starch was previously evaluated for an ADI for man
    by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives in 1969, 1971
    and 1973 (see Annex I, Refs. 19, 26 and 29). Toxicological monographs
    were published in 1969, 1972 and 1974 (see Annex I, Refs. 20, 27 and
    30).

         Since the previous evaluation, additional data have become
    available and are summarized and discussed in the following monograph.
    The previously published monograph has been expanded and is reproduced
    in its entirety below.

    Introduction

         Esterification is achieved by using either acetic anhydride
    (up to 8%) or vinyl acetate (up to 7.5%). A maximum of 2.5% acetyl
    groups is introduced corresponding to a maximum degree of substitution
    of 0.1.

         The Life Sciences Research office of the Federation of American
    Societies for Experimental Biology has recently completed an
    exhaustive review of the health aspects of modified starches (FASEB,
    1979).

    BIOLOGICAL DATA

    BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS

         The digestibility of acetylated starches was measured by the
    biochemical oxygen demand of incubated samples. As the acetyl contents
    increased so the BOD values decreased and, in parallel, the
    digestibility. Starch acetates containing 2.5% acetyl groups are only
    93.7% as digestible as native starch (Turner, 1961). Digestibility by
    fungal amyloglucosidase was shown to be 68-81% of that of native
    starch (Turner, 1961; Kruger, 1970). The digestibility of starch
    acetate (containing 1.98% acetyl) groups by pancreatin and porcine
    mucosal enzymes was found to be 90% of that of the unmodified starch
    (Leegwater, 1971). Caloric value was determined in groups of 10 male
    rats fed for 4 weeks a diet supplemented with graded doses of 0, 1.5,
    3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 g dextrose (equivalent to 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24
    calories). The dose-response curve was used to estimate the caloric
    value of supplements of 3 g and 4.5 g of acetylated (1.8% acetyl) or
    native starch. No significant difference was found between the starch
    samples with regard to caloric value (Oser, 1961).

    TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES

    Special studies on reproduction

    Rat

         A 3-generation study was performed using groups of 10 males and
    20 females to produce successive generations by mating at weeks 12 and
    20 after weaning. The F3b generation was kept for 3 weeks after
    weaning and then sacrificed for histopathological study. The P, F1b
    and F2b parents were used for determination of implantation sites.
    The test material, fed at 10% of the diet, consisted of starch
    modified with 5% acetic anhydride (degree of substitutions 0.079). No
    adverse effects were noted regarding health, behaviour, mortality,
    body weights, fertility, litter size, resorption quotient, weanling
    weight of pups or mortality of young. Caecal weights were increased.
    Gross and microscopic examination of the F3b generation failed to
    reveal any deleterious effects (Til et al., 1971b; de Groot et al.,
    1974).

    Special studies

    Rat

         Groups of 10 male and 10 female rats were given 25% and 50% of
    starch acetate (acetylated to 1.98%) in a low residue diet for 7 days.
    Thereafter, 4% cellulose was added for a further 3 days. Body weights
    were slightly reduced in both sexes at the 50% level after 7 days.
    Faecal dry matter was increased in all test groups but not in a dose-
    related manner. Slight diarrhoea occurred only at the 50% level in
    both sexes and this was unaffected by the feeding of additional
    cellulose in the diet. No loss of hair was noted (de Groot & Spanjers,
    1970).

    Short-term studies

    Rat

         Groups of 10 male rats were fed for 28 days diets containing 60%
    of various starch acetates (the degree of acetylation varied from 0,
    1.24, 2, 2.56 to 3.25%). Weight gain was reduced in groups receiving
    starch acetates with more than 2% acetylation but feed efficiency
    remained unaffected. Diarrhoea occurred at 2% and higher degrees of
    acetylation and there was noticeable caecal enlargement at the same
    levels. No tissue damage or inflammation was noted in association with
    the diarrhoea (Turner, 1961).

         In another experiment, potato starch acetate (acetylated to
    1.36%) was fed for 13 weeks to groups of 10 male and 10 female rats at
    levels of 5, 15 and 45% of the diet. The 5% level was fed for only 4
    weeks. No animals died. Growth rates and haematological findings were
    not significantly affected. The relative weights of differences
    compared with controls, being generally lower except for male
    thyroids. Male caecal weights were higher than controls and distended
    caeca were seen at the 15% and 45% dietary levels. No
    histopathological changes due to starch acetate were seen (Feron et
    al., 1967).

         In a further experiment, starch acetate (acetylated to 1.98%) was
    fed to groups of 10 male and 10 female rats for 8 weeks at dietary
    levels of 25% and 50%. No effects were noted on growth and body
    weight. Water content of faeces and faecal production, as measured by
    dry matter content, showed no consistent effects but there was a
    tendency towards increased faecal dry matter at the 50% dietary level
    in both sexes. No diarrhoea was observed in any dietary level. Caecal
    weight and caecal enlargement occurred in a dose-related manner in all
    treatment groups. However, histological examination revealed no
    abnormality of the caeca examined (de Groot & Spanjers, 1970).

    Long-term studies

    Mouse

         Groups of 75 male and 75 female Swiss albino SPF mice were fed a
    diet containing 55% acetylated potato starch or a control diet
    containing 55% pregelatinized potato starch for 89 weeks. Other groups
    were maintained on diets containing 55% lactose, 55% hydroxypropyl
    distarch phosphate, or 25% sodium alginate (Feron et al., 1978).
    Observations were made on growth and appearance, haematology, blood
    biochemistry, urine composition, organ weights, mortality, and gross
    and microscopic pathology with special attention being given to the
    kidney and bladder. In week 80, 10 mice/sex/group were killed and
    necropsied. A thorough necropsy was also performed on those animals
    found dead or moribund. After 89 weeks, all survivors were killed and
    subjected to necropsy.

         In both the acetylated starch and control groups loose stools
    were observed with similar frequency. Other abnormalities in
    appearance were randomly distributed. The death rate was normal for
    the starch acetate test group but was elevated in the control males
    between weeks 39-65 (haemorrhagic myocarditis). Body weights were
    generally comparable although there were significant decreases
    (Student t-test) at weeks 16, 20, 40 and 72 in males and in females at
    week 84. The starch-acetate-fed animals exhibited a 50-100% increase
    in water consumption over controls. Haemoglobin (P < 0.01) and
    haematocrit (P < 0.05) were significantly decreased in treated
    animals at week 40 (Wilcoxon test), but were within normal limits by
    week 78.

         Male test animals had a distinctly higher incidence of amorphous
    material in the urine. Analysis of the urine sediment showed 95%
    protein with the remainder phosphates, carbohydrates, and possibly
    some silica. At week 82, there was an increase in Ca content in the
    urine of males over that of control males (38 versus 7 mg%), a
    decrease in Mg (36 versus 152 mg%), and a decrease in P content
    (990 versus 2840 mg%). In females (versus controls), the Ca was also
    increased (97 versus 12 mg%), the Mg content remained level (44 versus
    42 mg%), and the P decreased (1150 versus 3080 mg%). The caecum and
    colon were statistically heavier in the starch-acetate group than in
    the control group. The starch-acetate-fed females also had a slight
    but statistically significant increase in kidney weight.

         In males of the starch-acetate group, the incidence of thickened
    urinary bladder epithelium (occasionally accompanied by a thickened
    submucosa) was slightly higher than in controls. One urinary stone was
    found in a male of the starch-acetate group and another male had a
    considerable amount of a gritty (calcareous?) material in its bladder.
    Calcareous deposits were found in the renal pelvis of males in the
    test group (9/74) but none in the controls (0/73). The incidence of
    intratubular calcareous deposits was significantly greater in test
    group males (25/49) than in controls (5/28). The authors concluded
    that these renal and urinary changes were of no toxicological
    significance (Feron et al., 1978).

    Rat

         Groups of 30 male and 30 female weanling rats were fed on diets
    containing 0, 5, 10 and 30% of starch acetate (acetylated to 1.98%)
    for 2 years. No significant differences were observed with respect to
    behaviour, general health and mortality. Growth and food consumption
    were essentially similar to those of the controls. Production of
    faeces during weeks 11 and 12 showed no dose-related differences among
    the various groups. Haematology, serum chemistry and serum enzymes as
    well as urinalysis showed no effects related to the administration of
    the test material. Among organ weights, only the caecal weight of male
    rats showed a dose-related increase at 10% and higher levels and the
    caecal weight of female rats was increased at the 30% level compared
    with controls. No other significant changes were noted which could be
    ascribed to the test substance. Upon microscopic examination, no
    changes were found in the enlarged caeca. The incidence of
    nephrocalcinosis accompanied by focal hyperplasia of the pelvic
    epithelium, was slightly higher in male test animals than in controls.
    Distinct pathological changes attributable to the test compound were
    not observed (Til et al., 1971a; de Groot et al., 1974). Roe (1979)
    has conducted an extensive review of this type of mineral deposition
    in the renal pelvis of rats and concluded that pelvic
    nephrocalcinosis, corticomedullary nephrocalcinosis, acute tubular
    nephropathy, and calculus formation are manifestations of mineral
    imbalance and are of relatively common occurrence in untreated
    laboratory rats (particularly older animals).

    OBSERVATIONS IN MAN

         Twelve volunteers consumed on each of 4 consecutive days 60 g
    starch acetate with 1.98% acetyl content. No effect was noted on
    frequency and amount of faeces, faecal water or lactic acid content.
    No other adverse effects were noted (Pieters et al., 1971).

    Comments

         The short-term feeding studies with rats did not reveal any
    deleterious effects. The available evidence for the modified starches
    as a group suggests that caecal enlargement without associated
    histopathological changes is without toxicological significance.
    Several short-term studies and a reproduction study in rats showed no
    compound-related effects. Long-term studies in mice and rats showed no
    compound-related effects, with the exception of decreased weight gain,
    increased caecal weight and increase in the occurrence of renal
    lesions, particularly in the males. The renal lesions are considered
    to be associated with an imbalance of Ca/P and Mg in the diet.

    EVALUATION

    Estimate of acceptable daily intake for man

    Not specified.*

              

    *    The statement "ADI not specified" means that, on the basis of the
         available data (toxicological, biochemical, and other), the total
         daily intake of the substance, arising from its use or uses at
         the levels necessary to achieve the desired effect and from its
         acceptable background in food, does not, in the opinion of the
         Committee, represent a hazard to health. For this reason, and for
         the reasons stated in individual evaluations, the establishment
         of an acceptable daily intake (ADI) in mg/kg bw is not deemed
         necessary.

    REFERENCES

    Feron, V. J. (1975) Letter to Paul Newberne in attachment M, Vol. III
         of Corn Refiners Association, Inc. Submission dated 15 September
         1976 to Federation of American Societies for Experimental
         Biology, Bethesda, Md.

    Feron, V. J., Til, H. P. & de Groot, A. P. (1967) Report No. R 2329 by
         Centraal Instituut voor Voedingsonderzoek, Zeist, Holland.
         Submitted to WHO

    Feron, V. J., Til, H. P. & Immel, H. R. (1978) Chronic (89-week)
         feeding study with hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate, starch
         acetate, lactose and sodium alginate in mice. Report No. R 5690.
         Centraal Instituut voor Voedingsonderzoek, Zeist, Holland

    de Groot, A. P. & Spanjers, M. Th. (1970) Observations in rats fed on
         diets containing five different chemically modified starches.
         Report No. R 3096 by Centraal Instituut voor Voedingsonderzoek,
         Zeist, Holland

    de Groot, A. P. et al. (1974) Two-year feeding and multigeneration
         studies in rats on five chemically modified starches, Fd.
         Cosmet. Toxicol., 12, 651-664

    Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (1979)
         Evaluation of the health aspects of starch and modified starches
         as food ingredients. Prepared for US Food and Drug Administration
         under DHEW contract No. FDA 223-75-2004, Bethesda, Md. Submitted
         by the FDA to WHO, 1982

    Kruger, L. (1970) Unpublished reports Nos. 405 & 406 submitted by
         National Starch and Chemical Corp.

    Leegwater, D.C. (1971) Unpublished report No. R 3431 by Centraal
         Instituut voor Voedingsonderzoek, Zeist, Holland

    Oser, M. (1961) Unpublished report No. 79868 b and c by Food and Drug
         Research Laboratories Inc., submitted by National Starch and
         Chemical Corp.

    Pieters, J. J. L., van Staveren, W. A. & Brinkhuis, B. G. A. M. (1971)
         Unpublished report No. R 3433 by Centraal Instituut voor
         Voedingsonderzoek, Zeist, Holland. Submitted to WHO

    Roe, F. J. C. (1979) Mineral deposition in the renal pelvis of rats:
         A brief review, unpublished report. Submitted to WHO

    Til, H. P. et al. (1971a) Chronic (two-year) feeding study in rats
         with two chemically modified starches (starch acetate and
         hydroxypropyl distarch glycerol). Report No. R 3363 by Centraal
         Instituut voor Voedingsonderzoek, Zeist, Holland

    Til, H. P., Spanjers, M. Th. & de Groot, A. P. (1971b) Report
         No. R 3403 of Centraal Instituut voor Voedingsonderzoek, Zeist,
         Holland. Submitted to WHO

    Turner, A. W. (1961) The safety evaluation of Mira-cleer and other
         acetylated types of starch. A. E. Staley Manufacturing Company,
         Decatur, Ill.
    


    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Starch acetate  (FAO Nutrition Meetings Report Series 46a)
       Starch acetate (WHO Food Additives Series 1)
       Starch acetate (WHO Food Additives Series 5)
       STARCH ACETATE (JECFA Evaluation)