Safety assessment of high fructose corn syrup and fructose used as sweeteners in foods

Abstract

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) and Fructose (FR) are widely used sweeteners in many foods and beverages. This study aimed at investigating the cytotoxic effects of HFCS (5%–30%) and FR (62.5–2000 μg/mL) using MTT assay in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG₂) cells, and genotoxic effects of using Chromosome Aberrations (CAs), Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCEs), Micronuclei (MN) and comet assays in human lymphocytes. HFCS significantly reduced the cell viability in HepG₂ cells at between 7.5% and 30% for 24 and 48 h. 30% HFCS caused a very significant toxic effect. FR had a cytotoxic effect in HepG₂ cells at all treatments. However, as fructose concentration decreased, the cell viability decreased. HFCS (10%–20%) and FR (250–2000 μg/mL) decreased the mitotic index at higher concentrations. IC₅₀ value was found to be a 15% for 48 h. IC₅₀ value of FR was detected as 62.5 μg/mL for 24 h and 48 h. HFCS significantly increased CAs frequency at 15% and 20%. FR significantly increased the frequency of CAs at 250, 1000, and 2000 μg/mL for 48 h. Both sweeteners increased the frequency of SCEs at all concentrations. HFCS (15% and 20%) and FR (250, 1000, and 2000 μg/mL) induced MN frequency at higher concentrations. HFCS caused DNA damage in comet assay at 10% −30%. FR increased tail intensity and moment at 125-2000 μg/mL and tail length at 62.5, 250 and 500 μg/mL. Therefore, HFCS and FR are clearly seen to be cytotoxic and genotoxic, especially at higher concentrations.

HIGHLIGHTS

• HFCS and FR exhibited cytotoxic effect at HepG2 and human lymphocytes at higher concentrations.

• Both sweeteners increased the frequencies of CAs and SCEs at higher concentrations.

• HFCS caused DNA damage at 10% -30% concentrations.

• HFCS (15% and 20%) and FR (250, 1000, and 2000 μg/mL) induced MN frequency.

Keywords:

• High fructose corn syrup
• fructose
• food sweeteners
• cytotoxicity
• genotoxicity

Acknowledgment

Gazi University Research Fund supported a part of this study (including HFCS) under Project No. 64/2020-01.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Gazi University Research Fund supported a part of this study (including HFCS) under Project No. 64/2020-01.