The toxic effect of rhodamine B in rats

  • G. Nainggolan Sihombing Nutrition Unit, Diponegoro National Institute for Health Research and Development, Ministry of Health, Jakarta
Keywords: rhodamine B; respiratory disease; tumors; foodgrade colours

Abstract

A multigeneration rat feeding study was carried out with rhodamine B incorporated in the usual stockdiet [or albino rats. Rhodamine B is a red inedible synthetic dyestuff wrongly but widely used in Jakarta for colouring cheap snacks and drinks prepared at the homelevel and sold by streetvendors.

Under the conditions of the experiment the main findings observed were :

1) retardation of growth, starting from birth to adulthood

2) decrease in reproductive ability as seen from continuing decrease of littersize with each following generation

3) behavioral changes of adult rats, such as itching, irritability, aggressiveness and cannibalism

4) increased susceptibility to infection (respiratory diseases) in adult rats resulting in decreased longevity

5) development of tumors in the lymphnodes.

The purpose of this investigation is through reporting the findings to awake renewed interest on the part of the authority for the problem of provision of the so badly needed cheap but edible foodgrade colours for the less privileged members of the society.

References

1. JACOBS, M.B. : The Chemical Analysis of Foods and Food Products, 3rd Ed., p. 142-143. In Robert (Krieger Publishing, Huntington, N.Y. 11743, 1973).
2. LOREN, B. ; SJOSTROM; charles, J.; KENSLER : Flavors and Colours. In Ayres Chemical and Biological Hazards in Foods, p. SS, (Hafner Pubis., New York, 1969).
3. SIHOMBING, G.: An Exploratory Study on Three Synthetic Colouring Matters Commonly used as Food Colours in Jakarta (Thesis,(1978).
4. SIHOMBING, G.: Observasi perigguilaan dua pewama sintetik dalam penganan di Jakarta. Presented at the Second National Seminar on Biochemistry, March 3 - 7, 1979 Yog¥akarta, Indonesia.
Published
2018-08-03
How to Cite
1.
Sihombing G. The toxic effect of rhodamine B in rats. PI [Internet]. 3Aug.2018 [cited 26Apr.2024];24(7-8):125-8. Available from: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/1899
Received 2018-08-03
Published 2018-08-03