Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity Assessment of Ascorbyl Palmitate (AP) Food Additive

Purpose: Ascorbyl palmitate (AP) is a widely used food additive in food industry. In this study, AP was evaluated for potential cytogenotoxicity on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs). Methods: MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis was used for cytotoxicity evaluation, while genotoxicity was carried out using DAPI staining assays and real time PCR. Results: The growth of HUVECs was decreased upon treatment with AP in doseand timedependent manner. Early/late apoptosis percentage in HUVECs treated with this additive was detected using flow cytometry analysis. Also morphology of DAPI stained HUVECs clearly showed chromatin fragmentation. Furthermore, real time PCR results showed that AP induces apoptosis by upregulation of caspase3, 9 and downregulation of Bcl2 ratio. Conclusion: The present results indicated that AP has capability to induce apoptosis in HUVECs and its better to make a thorough analysis about its extensive application in food industry.