https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2023/02/food-coloring-anti-caking-nanoparticles-may-affect-human-gut Skip to main content [ ] [Submit Search] Toggle navigation Search Cornell University * Cornell.edu * Media Relations * Search Cornell University Cornell Chronicle * Topics + o Architecture & Design o Arts & Humanities o Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship o Computing & Information Sciences o Energy, Environment & Sustainability o Food & Agriculture o Global Reach o Health, Nutrition & Medicine o Law, Government & Public Policy o Life Sciences & Veterinary Medicine o Physical Sciences & Engineering o Social & Behavioral Sciences o Coronavirus + Campus & Community o # News & Events # Public Engagement # New York City # Staff News # Photos of the Day # Big Red Sports # Diversity # In Memory # Features # NYS Impact # Student Life # Around Cornell + All Stories + In the News + Expert Quotes + Cornellians CHicken's lower intestine Credit: Provided Cross-section of chicken intestine with cells that may be affected by food nanoparticles. Food coloring, anti-caking nanoparticles may affect human gut By Blaine Friedlander, Cornell Chronicle February 15, 2023 Metal oxide nanoparticles - ubiquitous in nature, and commonly used as food coloring and anti-caking agents in the commercial ingredients industry - may damage and disturb parts of the human intestine, according to new research conducted by Cornell and Binghamton University scientists. Their work was published Feb. 9 in the journal Antioxidants. "We found that specific nanoparticles - titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide - ordinarily used in food may negatively affect intestinal functionality," said senior author Elad Tako, associate professor of food science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "They have a negative effect on key digestive and absorptive proteins." In their research, the group used human-relevant doses of titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide in the Tako laboratory's in vivo system, which offers a health response similar to the human body's. The scientists injected the nanoparticles in chicken eggs. After the chickens hatched, the scientists detected changes in the functional, morphological and microbial biomarkers in the blood, the duodenum (upper intestine) and the cecum (a pouch connected to the intestine). The scientists found shifts in the composition of intestinal bacterial populations. The animals' mineral transport was affected and the brush border membrane (the intestine's digestive and absorptive surface) was disturbed. "We are consuming these nanoparticles on a daily basis," said Tako, a faculty fellow in the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability. "We don't really know how much we consume; we don't really know the long-term effects of this consumption. Here, we were able to demonstrate some of these effects, which is a key to understanding gastrointestinal health and development." Additionally, the group examined zinc oxide, a micronutrient, and iron oxide, an iron fortification supplement. Zinc oxide nanoparticles support intestinal development, as well as a compensatory mechanism following intestinal damage. Iron oxide nanoparticles are a potential option for iron fortification, though with potential alterations in intestinal functionality and health. Previously, the Binghamton scientists conducted in vitro cellular assessments and screened different nanoparticles commonly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The group narrowed their research to specific metal oxide nanoparticles and ensured testing dosages that are appropriate for humans. "Between our two universities, our research used a nice set of systems that complement each other," said Gretchen Mahler, Ph.D. '08, professor of biomedical engineering at Binghamton and interim vice provost and dean of the graduate school. "We used our in vitro gut models of the small intestine to conduct assays and screen nanoparticle dosages," Mahler said. "We then can validate what we observed in vitro by using Elad Tako's animal model." The scientists are not advocating for ending the use of these nanoparticles. "Based on the information, we suggest simply being aware," Tako said. "Science needs to conduct further investigations based on our findings. We are opening the door for discussion." In addition to Tako and Mahler, co-authors included Cornell doctoral candidates Jacquelyn Cheng (first author) and Nikolai Kolba; Binghamton postdoctoral fellow Alba Garcia-Rodriguez; and Claudia Marques, associate professor of biological sciences at Binghamton. The research is part of the journal's special issue on dietary supplements and oxidative stress. The National Institutes of Health funded this work. Food & Agriculture Health, Nutrition & Medicine Life Sciences & Veterinary Medicine Media Inquiries Media Contact Becka Bowyer rpb224@cornell.edu 6072204185 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Get Cornell news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe ----------------------------------------------------------------- You might also like [1007_grapes] Cheers! Wine's red grape pulp offers nutritional bounty [1213_seeds_0] Feeding apple waste to chickens may boost their health Gallery Heading x Previous Next Links + About the Chronicle + Media Relations Office + Sitemap + Copyright + Web Accessibility Assistance + University Relations Contact Cornell Chronicle 312 College Ave Ithaca, NY 14850 607-255-4206 cunews@cornell.edu SUBSCRIBE + Daily and weekly newsletters + Feeds - RSS & JSON