An In vitro assessment of the genotoxic potential of short-, medium-, and long-chain triacylglycerides

The genotoxic potential of a mixture of short-, medium-, and long-chain triacylglycerides (SMLCT), a novel synthetic fat intended as a non-animal alternative for food applications, was evaluated using a standard battery of in vitro assays in accordance with OECD Test Guidelines. Studies included a bacterial reverse mutation assay (OECD Test Guideline 471) with Salmonella Typhimurium and Escherichia coli strains at concentrations up to 5000 µg/plate; an in vitro mammalian gene mutation test in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells (OECD Test Guideline 490) at concentrations up to 31 μg/mL; and an in vitro micronucleus assay in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes (OECD Test Guideline 487) at concentrations up to 7.8 μg/mL. Across all assays, SMLCT did not induce biologically relevant increases in revertant colonies, mutant frequencies, or micronucleated binucleated cells. These findings indicate that SMLCT is neither mutagenic nor clastogenic under the conditions of the studies, supporting its safety for use as a dietary fat ingredient in finished food.