Sulfite Additives

The CMA recommends that sulfites be banned as food preservatives when satisfactory and safe alternatives are available. When there is no suitable substitute strict labelling requirements on foods should be imposed for sulfite additives. The association supports the efforts of the Health Protection Branch of the Department of National Health and Welfare to regulate sulfites in the food and drug industry to prevent adverse reactions in people sensitive to sulfites. The CMA recommends that the Department of National Health and Welfare establish a federal-provincial liaison group that has the authority to introduce additive standards for food producers, distributors and restaurants and to monitor foods at the consumer level for the presence of allergenic additives.     

Survey of colourings and preservatives in drugs.

OBJECTIVE--To assess the prevalence of colourings and preservatives in drug formulations in the United Kingdom. DESIGN--Postal survey. PARTICIPANTS--All pharmaceutical manufacturers in the United Kingdom were requested to supply data on drug formulations with particular regard to the content of colourings and preservatives. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Prevalence in proprietary drugs of colourings or preservatives, or both, that have been implicated in adverse reactions. Computation of a list of formulations of bronchodilators, antihistamines, and antibiotics that are free of such additives. RESULTS--A total of 118 out of 120 pharmaceutical companies supplied the data requested. In all, 2204 drug formulations were analysed and found to contain 419 different additives, of which 52 were colourings and preservatives that have been implicated in adverse reactions; 930 formulations contained such an additive. Tartrazine was the fourth most commonly occurring colouring, being present in 124 drug formulations. CONCLUSION--Many drugs contain additives that help to identify them and prolong their shelf life but are implicated in adverse reactions in some people. Some form of labelling of drug additives would enable these people to avoid drugs containing such additives.     

Adverse reactions to foods

Allergic reactions to foods represent a prominent, actual and increasing problem in clinical medicine. Symptoms of food allergy comprise skin reactions (urticaria, angioedema, eczema) respiratory (bronchoconstriction, rhinitis), gastrointestinal (cramping, diarrhea) and cardiovascular symptoms with the maximal manifestation of anaphylactic shock. They can be elicited by minute amounts of allergens. The diagnosis of food allergy is done by history, skin test, in vitro allergy diagnosis and — if necessary — oral provocation tests, if possible placebo-controlled. Avoidance of respective allergens for the allergic patient, however, is often complicated or impossible due to deficits in declaration regulations in many countries. Increasing numbers of cases including fatalities, due to inadvertent intake of food allergens are reported. It is therefore necessary to improve declaration laws and develop methods for allergen detection in foods. Allergens can be detected by serological methods (enzyme immunoassays, in vitro basophil histamine release or in vivo skin test procedures in sensitized individuals). The problem of diagnosis of food allergy is further complicated by cross-reactivity between allergens in foods and aeroallergens (pollen, animal epithelia, latex etc.). Elicitors of pseudo-allergic reactions with similar clinical symptomatology comprise low-molecular-mass chemicals (preservatives, colorings, flavor substances etc.). For some of them (e.g. sulfites) detection assays are available. In some patients classic allergic contact eczema can be elicited systemically after oral intake of low-molecular-mass contact allergens such as nickel sulfate or flavorings such as vanillin in foods. The role of xenobiotic components in foods (e.g. pesticides) is not known at the moment. In order to improve the situation of the food allergic patient, research programs to elucidate the pathophysiology and improve allergen detection strategies have to be implemented together with reinforced declaration regulations on a quantitative basis.     

The quest for natural antimicrobials as novel means of food preservation: Status report on a European research project

At a time when consumers are demanding the partial or complete removal of chemically synthesized preservatives from foods, there is also an increased demand for convenience foods with long shelf-lives. These consumer-led trends have fuelled a renewed interest in the development of ‘more natural’ preservatives for extending the shelf-life and maintaining the safety of foods. Although the antimicrobial properties of many compounds from plant, animal and microbial sources have been reported, their potential for use as natural food preservatives has not been fully exploited. In this paper, the possible uses of natural antimicrobial compounds as food preservatives, used either singly or in combination, are explored. Specific examples are given from a current transnational research project on Natural Antimicrobial Systems sponsored jointly by the European Commission and a consortium of eight food companies. The results of trials with a range of potential natural preservatives including lytic enzymes, bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria and plant antimicrobials in laboratory media and in a variety of foods and beverages including apple juice, milk, hard-cooked cheese (Emmental) and fresh fruit slices are discussed.     

聚赖氨酸的研究进展

聚赖氨酸(ε-PL)是由20～35个赖氨酸残基通过α-羧基和ε-氨基聚合成的具有抑菌功效的多肽。它具有安全性高、对革兰氏阳性菌,革兰氏阴性菌,真菌等都有广泛的抑制繁殖作用等优点且热稳定性,水溶性好。在食品保鲜防腐、医学等方面都有广泛的应用。     

单抗药物专题报告——走过孕育期，收获正当时（Ⅱ）

单抗药物以靶向性强、特异性高、副反应小等优势在癌症、自身免疫性疾病等治疗领域取得了快速发展，成为医药行业增速最快的 细分领域。报告采用文献调研、数据库检索、数据统计与分析等定性定量研究方法，从竞争优势、应用领域、给药剂型、产业现状、成长 路径等角度对国内外单抗药物领域进行多角度、多层次的分析，旨在为相关医药企业明确发展方向、确定产品研发思路及制定市场策略提 供参考。     

单抗药物专题报告——走过孕育期，收获正当时（Ⅰ）

单抗药物以靶向性强、特异性高、副反应小等优势在癌症、自身免疫性疾病等治疗领域取得了快速发展,成为医药行业增速最快的 细分领域。报告采用文献调研、数据库检索、数据统计与分析等定性定量研究方法,从竞争优势、应用领域、给药剂型、产业现状、成长 路径等角度对国内外单抗药物领域进行多角度、多层次的分析,旨在为相关医药企业明确发展方向、确定产品研发思路及制定市场策略提 供参考。     

Production of methylparaben in Escherichia coli

Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology - Since the 1930s, parabens have been employed widely as preservatives in food, pharmaceutical, and personal care products. These alkyl esters...     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubus rosaefolius</Emphasis> Extract as a Natural Preservative Candidate in Topical Formulations

Even though the synthetic preservatives may offer a high antimicrobial efficacy, they are commonly related to adverse reactions and regarded as having potentially harmful effects caused by chronic consumption. The development of natural preservatives provides a way of reducing the amount of synthetic preservatives normally used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations. In addition, these agents have less toxic effects and represent a possible natural and safer alternative of the preservatives. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the Rubus rosaefolius Smith extract efficiency as a natural preservative in base formulations. Of the extract, 0.2% (w/w) was assayed for its effectiveness of antimicrobial protection in two different base formulations (emulsion and gel). The microbial challenge test was performed following the standard procedures proposed by The United States Pharmacopoeia 33nd, European Pharmacopoeia 6th, Japanese Pharmacopoeia 15th, and the Cosmetics, Toiletries, and Fragrance Association using standardized microorganisms. The results demonstrated that R. rosaefolius extract at the studied concentration reduced the bacterial inocula, satisfying the criterion in all formulations, even though it was not able to present an effective preservative behavior against fungi. Thus, the investigation of new natural substances with preservative properties that could be applied in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products is relevant due to the possibility of substituting or decreasing the concentration of synthetic preservatives, providing a way for the development of safer formulas for the use of consumers.     

Potential applications of laccase-mediated coupling and grafting reactions: a review

Many industries are currently pursuing enzymatic approaches for developing green chemistry technologies mainly due to shortcomings of physico-chemical methods, growing environmental concerns, legal restrictions, and increasing scientific knowledge. Laccase-assisted reactions, in particular, are being intensively investigated as they are generally eco-friendly and have wide application potential. Laccases only require oxygen as co-substrate, they release water as the only by-product and have a wide substrate range which can be further extended by use of laccase-mediator systems. Consequently, research covering various applications of laccase has been rapidly increasing in recent years, particularly in the areas of coupling and grafting reactions. This review summarizes the advances that have been made in developing technologies based on laccase-mediated coupling and grafting reactions for potential application in areas such as environmental pollution control, modification of lignocellulose materials, food industry, biosensors, textile industry, pharmaceutical industry, and in organic synthesis.     

Enzyme degradation during drying

During drying of food materials a multitude of chemical reactions and/or physical changes may occur. In this article attention is focused on one of these, namely, inactivation of enzymes during drying. The prediction of enzyme retention during drying is of interest to the pharmaceutical industry for the production of dry enzyme preparations and to the food processing industry in drying operations of food materials containing enzymes. In this article calculated enzyme retentions are presented for different drying histories and shapes of drying particles. In the numerical calculations it is assumed that enzyme degradation kinetics are first-order reactions, of which reaction constants are known as a function of temperature and water concentration in the drying material. From the calculations, conclusions can be drawn about conditions favorable for high enzyme retentions, or for high enzyme degradations.     

Perspectives for the industrial enzymatic production of glycosides

Glycosides are of commercial interest for industry in general and specifically for the pharmaceutical and food industry. Currently chemical preparation of glycosides will not meet EC food regulations, and therefore chemical preparation of glycosides is not applicable in the food industry. Thus, enzyme-catalyzed reactions are a good alternative. However, until now the low yields obtained by enzymatic methods prevent the production of glycosides on a commercial scale. Therefore, high yields should be established by a combination of optimum reaction conditions and continuous removal of the product. Unfortunately, a bioreactor for the commercial scale production of glycosides is not available. The aim of this article is to discuss the literature with respect to enzymatic production of glycosides and the design of an industrially viable bioreactor system.     

Postmarketing surveillance of adverse drug reactions: problems and solutions.

The surveillance of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is an unqualified must. However, the optimal means of surveillance is still unclear. Although anecdotal reports are the backbone of an ADR surveillance system, they are not enough. The pharmaceutical industry, academics and regulatory agencies need to expand their efforts in monitoring ADRs. The author discusses the various techniques for counting and evaluating adverse reactions and suggests ways in which the system could be improved.     

Drug-induced phospholipidosis: are there functional consequences?

Phospholipidosis induced by drugs with a cationic amphiphilic structure is a generalized condition in humans and animals that is characterized by an intracellular accumulation of phospholipids and the concurrent development of concentric lamellar bodies. The primary mechanism responsible for the development of phospholipidosis is an inhibition of lysosomal phospholipase activity by the drugs. While the biochemical and ultrastructural features of the condition have been well characterized, much less effort has been directed toward understanding whether the condition has adverse effects on the organism. While there are a few cationic amphiphilic drugs that have been reported to cause phospholipidosis in humans, the principal concern with this condition is in the pharmaceutical industry during preclinical testing. While this class of drugs should technically be referred to as cationic lipophilic, the term cationic amphiphilic is widely used and recognized in this field, and for this reason, the terminology cationic amphiphilic drugs (CADs) will be employed in this Minireview. The aim of this Minireview is to provide an evaluation of the state of knowledge on the functional consequences of CAD-induced phospholipidosis.     

Toxicogenomics in drug discovery: from preclinical studies to clinical trials

Gene expression analysis applied to toxicology studies, also referred to as toxicogenomics, is rapidly being embraced by the pharmaceutical industry as a useful tool to identify safer drugs in a quicker, more cost-effective manner. Studies have already demonstrated the benefits of applying gene expression profiling towards drug safety evaluation, both for identifying mechanisms underlying toxicity, as well as for providing a means to identify safety liabilities early in the drug discovery process. Furthermore, toxicogenomics has the potential to better identify and assess adverse drug reactions of new drug candidates or marketed products in humans. While much still remains to be learned about the relevance and the application of gene expression changes in human toxicology, the next few years should see gene expression technologies applied to more stages and more programs of the drug discovery and development process. This review will focus on how toxicogenomics can or has been applied in drug discovery and development, and will discuss some of the challenges that still remain.     

Transformation of ferulic acid to 4-vinyl guaiacol as a major metabolite: a microbial approach

The majority of the flavours and fragrances used worldwide are produced by chemical synthesis at low price. However, consumers prefer natural compounds because of increasing health and nutrition awareness in routine life. Hence, biotransformation is an alternative process to produce natural aroma compounds. Microorganisms have been gradually used more to produce natural aroma compounds with various applications in food, agriculture and pharmaceutical industries. This paper reviews the role of microorganisms in the transformation of ferulic acid to 4-vinyl guaiacol. The microbial processes based on biocatalytic method are discussed in terms of their advantages over chemical synthesis, plant cell cultures and enzyme catalyzed reactions. Thus, the transformation of ferulic acid by microorganisms could have possible use in food, pharmaceutical industry and become an increasingly important platform for the production of natural aroma compounds.     

Composition of acellular pertussis and combination vaccines: a general review.

Since the development and introduction of the acellular pertussis vaccine in Japan in the early eighties, we have come a long way in using this component in combination with other vaccines. However, the basic problem in development of an effective and safe pertussis vaccine is that the antigens to induce complete protection against clinical pertussis and the precise mechanism by which pertussis vaccine confers immunity is yet unknown. Hence, the composition of future acellular pertussis vaccine remains an open issue. Recently, acellular pertussis vaccine has been licensed for the booster doses in the U.S.A. and for primary immunization of infants in Italy and Germany. A multicentric trial has been carried out to compare the serological response and adverse reactions of 13 acellular pertussis vaccines. These vaccines contained one or more of the four components, i.e. FHA, PT, 69 kDa OMP and fimbriae. All vaccines were associated with substantially fewer and less adverse reactions and were more immunogenic with respect to antibodies against the added antigens. DTP vaccines in the near future will have combinations of other components and the key antigen for combination will be acellular pertussis component which is going to replace whole cell pertussis component in DTP vaccines. In view of this, manufacturers like ourselves from the developing countries are still groping in the dark, uncertain whether we should have a single component acellular pertussis vaccine or multicomponent one. This will have a major impact on the cost of production, the final cost of the combination vaccines and the regulatory issues that we will have to tackle in view of the recent thinking on harmonization in the pharmaceutical industry.     

Lack of effect of butylparaben and methylparaben on the reproductive system in male rats

BACKGROUND: Parabens are widely used preservatives in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, and approved as food additives. Parabens have been considered safe for these uses for many years. Recently, adverse effects on male reproductive parameters in rats have been reported when parabens were given orally for 8 weeks starting at three weeks of age. Our studies used two representative parabens, methyl‐ and butylparaben, to try to replicate these studies and thereby evaluate potential reproductive effects in male Wistar rats. METHODS: Diets containing 0, 100, 1000 or 10,000 ppm of either butyl‐ or methylparaben were fed to male rats for eight weeks. Rats were 22 days of age at the start of exposure. Parameters evaluated included organ weights, histopathology of reproductive tissues, sperm production, motility, morphology and reproductive hormone levels (butylparaben only). RESULTS: None of the parameters evaluated for either paraben showed compound‐ or dosage‐dependent adverse effects. Metabolism experiments of butylparaben indicate that it is rapidly metabolized by non‐specific esterases to p‐hydroxybenzoic acid and butanol, neither of which is estrogenic. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to methyl‐ or butylparaben in the diet for eight weeks did not affect any male reproductive organs or parameters at exposures as high as 10,000 ppm, corresponding to a mean daily dose of 1,141.1±58.9 or 1,087.6±67.8 mg/kg/day for methyl‐ and butylparaben, respectively. The rapid metabolism of parabens by esterases probably explains why these weakly estrogenic substances elicit no in vivo effects when administered by relevant exposure routes (i.e., topical and oral). Birth Defects Research (Part B) 2008. 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.