Abstract
Gelatin-starch syrup (food grade) microcapsulation was applied for toxicology studies of bromodichloromethane (BDCM). BDCM concentrations were stable for 120 days in the microcapsules and for 9 months when incorporated in the powder diet. BDCM concentration in the blood following the administration of microcapsules in olive oil suspension was retained at higher levels than when BDCM was administered as olive oil solution. Subsequently, the microcapsules were mixed in powder diet and were given at concentrations of microcapsulated BDCM of 0, 0.024, 0.072, and 0.215% to groups of 7 male Wistar rats for 1 month. For comparison, BDCM dissolved in olive oil was administered by gavage to groups of 7 male rats for 1 month at dosage levels adjusted to those in the feeding study (0, 20, 60, and 180 mg/kg body weight). Suppression of body weight gain was seen in the high-dosage groups in both the feeding and the gavage studies and was more severe in the former. Similar histopathologic lesions in the liver were shown in both studies, including vacuolization, swelling, and single necrosis of liver cells. Hepatic cord irregularity and bile duct proliferation were observed in the feeding study but not the gavage study. Serum biochemical changes, such as decreases in glucose, triglyceride, and cholinesterase levels, which reflected the histopathologic findings in the liver, were also observed in both studies. Accordingly, the microcapsulation process was proved to pose no qualitative toxic effects on toxicity of BDCM in short-term toxicity studies. It is concluded that the application of microcapsulation is useful for toxicity tests of volatile chemicals when incorporated into food.