Toxicological assessment of 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol and glycidol fatty acid esters in food

Mol Nutr Food Res. 2011 Apr;55(4):509-21. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201000550. Epub 2011 Feb 23.

Abstract

Fatty acid esters of 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) and glycidol are a newly identified class of food process contaminants. They are widespread in refined vegetable oils and fats and have been detected in vegetable fat-containing products, including infant formulas. There are no toxicological data available yet on the 3-MCPD and glycidol esters, and the primary toxicological concern is based on the potential release of 3-MCPD or glycidol from the parent esters by lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis in the gastrointestinal tract. Although 3-MCPD is assessed as a nongenotoxic carcinogen with a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 2 μg/kg body weight (bw), glycidol is a known genotoxic carcinogen, which induces tumors in numerous organs of rodents. The initial exposure estimates, conducted by Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) under the assumption that 100% of the 3-MPCD and glycidol are released from their esters, revealed especially that infants being fed commercial infant formula could ingest harmful amounts of 3-MCPD and glycidol. However, the real oral bioavailability may be lower. As this gives rise for toxicological concern, the currently available toxicological data of 3-MCPD and glycidol and their esters are summarized in this review and discussed with regard to data gaps and further research needs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biotransformation
  • Carcinogens / administration & dosage
  • Carcinogens / chemistry
  • Carcinogens / pharmacokinetics
  • Carcinogens / toxicity*
  • Epoxy Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Epoxy Compounds / chemistry
  • Epoxy Compounds / pharmacokinetics
  • Epoxy Compounds / toxicity*
  • Esters / administration & dosage
  • Esters / chemistry
  • Esters / pharmacokinetics
  • Esters / toxicity*
  • Fatty Acids / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Food Contamination*
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Mutagens / administration & dosage
  • Mutagens / chemistry
  • Mutagens / pharmacokinetics
  • Mutagens / toxicity*
  • Neoplasms / chemically induced
  • Plant Oils / adverse effects
  • Plant Oils / chemistry
  • Propanols / administration & dosage
  • Propanols / chemistry
  • Propanols / pharmacokinetics
  • Propanols / toxicity*
  • Renal Insufficiency / chemically induced
  • Risk Assessment
  • alpha-Chlorohydrin / administration & dosage
  • alpha-Chlorohydrin / analysis
  • alpha-Chlorohydrin / pharmacokinetics
  • alpha-Chlorohydrin / toxicity*

Substances

  • Carcinogens
  • Epoxy Compounds
  • Esters
  • Fatty Acids
  • Mutagens
  • Plant Oils
  • Propanols
  • alpha-Chlorohydrin
  • glycidol