A Toxicological Evaluation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a Green Algae. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murbach, Timothy S.; Glávits, Róbert; Endres, John R.; Hirka, Gábor; Vértesi, Adél; Béres, Erzsébet; Szakonyiné, Ilona Pasics
• Is Part Of: International journal of toxicology. Volume 37:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: 53
• Page End: 62
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Chlamydomonas reinhardtii -- algal biomass -- green algae -- safety -- mutagenicity -- toxicity -- NOAEL; Toxicology -- Periodicals; 615.9005
• DOI: 10.1177/1091581817746109
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1091-5818

Abstract

There is a current worldwide interest in developing novel sustainable nonanimal nutritional sources, and one such source is the green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the only green algae that has been studied as a model organism for many biological processes ranging from photosynthesis to flagellar movement. However, its potential as a safe nutritional source for use in various foods has not been thoroughly investigated. To assess the safety of C reinhardtii for use as a nutritional human food ingredient, in accordance with internationally accepted standards, the genotoxic potential and repeated-dose oral toxicity of the dried C reinhardtii (THN 6) algal biomass was investigated. The following studies were conducted: (1) a bacterial reverse mutation test, (2) an in vitro mammalian chromosomal aberration test, (3) an in vivo mammalian micronucleus test, and (4) a 28-day repeated-dose oral toxicity study in rats. No evidence of mutagenicity or genotoxic activity was observed in the first 3 tests under the applied test systems. In the 28-day study, male and female Hsd.Han Wistar rats were exposed to daily doses of 0, 1, 000, 2, 000, and 4, 000 mg/kg bw by gavage. Following 28 days of continuous exposure, no mortality or treatment-related adverse effects were observed and no target organs were identified. Therefore, a no observed adverse effect level was concluded as 4, 000 mg/kg bw/day, the highest dose tested.