Subchronic Toxicity of Liquid Smoke from ‘Tian Op’ in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Liquid smoke (LS) from ‘Tian Op ’ has been developed for ‘feathering’ (softening) the odor of many Thai desserts. The benefi ts of liquid smoke are reduced smoking time, increased ease of utilization and standardization of the intensity of the fl avor in dessert products. The Medicinal Plant Research Institute, Department of Medical Science, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand conducted a 90 d oral subchronic toxicity test of LS in 120 Wistar rats divided into fi ve groups (12 per sex per group). Groups 1 and 2 were control groups receiving distilled water and propylene glycol at a volume of 10 mL.kg-1. day-1, respectively, where the weight was based on live body weight. Groups 3–5 were experimental groups receiving LS at doses of 0.04, 0.4 and 4.0 g.kg-1.day-1, respectively. LS at any dosage did not affect growth, food consumption and hematological values. Rats receiving LS at doses of 0.4 and 4.0 mL.kg-1.day-1 had signifi cantly higher albumin levels than the water control and the propylene glycoltreated rats, but these alterations did not indicate any abnormalities. Histopathology of organs revealed no abnormalities related to liquid smoke toxicity. Therefore, it may be concluded that liquid smoke at the given dosages did not produce toxicity in Wistar rats.