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Chronic exposure to food additives: Monosodium glutamate and tartrazine dysregulate gut-brain axis in zebrafish model.

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Title: Chronic exposure to food additives: Monosodium glutamate and tartrazine dysregulate gut-brain axis in zebrafish model.
Authors: Vaithilingam P; Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science & Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, TN, India., Seetharaman B; Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science & Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, TN, India., Achudhan AB; Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, India., Mudgal G; University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, Punjab, India; Center for Waste Management and Renewable Energy, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India., Vasantharekha R; Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM Institute of Science & Technology, Kattankulathur, 603203, TN, India. Electronic address: vasanthr@srmist.edu.in.
Source: The Science of the total environment [Sci Total Environ] 2025 Oct 10; Vol. 998, pp. 180295. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Aug 22.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Elsevier Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 0330500 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1879-1026 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00489697 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Sci Total Environ Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: Amsterdam, Elsevier.
MeSH Terms: Zebrafish*/physiology , Sodium Glutamate*/toxicity , Sodium Glutamate*/adverse effects , Food Additives*/toxicity , Gastrointestinal Microbiome*/drug effects , Tartrazine*/toxicity , Tartrazine*/adverse effects , Brain*/drug effects , Brain-Gut Axis*/drug effects, Animals
Abstract: Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
The commonly used food additives to enhance color and flavor are Monosodium glutamate and Tartrazine. The effects of both were investigated on chronic exposure of over 30 days to adult zebrafish, in four groups: control, tartazine (31,844 ppm), monosodium glutamate (10.9 × 10 3  ppm), and a combined exposure group (monosodium glutamate+tartazine = 5450 ppm + 15,922 ppm), with 10 fish per group in triplicates. Neurobehavioral tests, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, metabolic enzyme assays, and quantification of serotonin and cortisol levels were performed. DNA was extracted from zebrafish gut samples for gut microbiota analysis. Zebrafish exposed to monosodium glutamate and tartazine showed a statistically significant reduction in social interaction, mirror biting, and preference for familiar and novel objects. The combined exposure group showed increased anxiety, spent more time in light zones, and increased transition movements. Tartazine exposure elevated AChE activity and serotonin levels, and monosodium glutamate exposure increased cortisol. Disruptions in cortisol and serotonin levels, with increased AChE activity, were linked to stress, mood swings, memory deficits, and cognitive impairment. Gut microbiota analysis revealed a higher abundance of Actinobacteria, and increased Enterobacter indicates inflammation in the gut of treatment groups. Chronic consumption of monosodium glutamate and tartazine may disrupt metabolic processes, induce obesity, and impair cognitive functions, indicating potential health risks associated with these additives.
(Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Acetylcholinesterase; Cognitive impairment; Combined exposure; Cortisol; Food additives; Gut microbiome; Neurobehaviour; Serotonin
Substance Nomenclature: W81N5U6R6U (Sodium Glutamate)
0 (Food Additives)
I753WB2F1M (Tartrazine)
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20250823 Date Completed: 20251009 Latest Revision: 20251009
Update Code: 20251010
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180295
PMID: 40848430
Database: MEDLINE
Description
Abstract:Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.<br />The commonly used food additives to enhance color and flavor are Monosodium glutamate and Tartrazine. The effects of both were investigated on chronic exposure of over 30 days to adult zebrafish, in four groups: control, tartazine (31,844 ppm), monosodium glutamate (10.9 × 10 <sup>3</sup>  ppm), and a combined exposure group (monosodium glutamate+tartazine = 5450 ppm + 15,922 ppm), with 10 fish per group in triplicates. Neurobehavioral tests, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, metabolic enzyme assays, and quantification of serotonin and cortisol levels were performed. DNA was extracted from zebrafish gut samples for gut microbiota analysis. Zebrafish exposed to monosodium glutamate and tartazine showed a statistically significant reduction in social interaction, mirror biting, and preference for familiar and novel objects. The combined exposure group showed increased anxiety, spent more time in light zones, and increased transition movements. Tartazine exposure elevated AChE activity and serotonin levels, and monosodium glutamate exposure increased cortisol. Disruptions in cortisol and serotonin levels, with increased AChE activity, were linked to stress, mood swings, memory deficits, and cognitive impairment. Gut microbiota analysis revealed a higher abundance of Actinobacteria, and increased Enterobacter indicates inflammation in the gut of treatment groups. Chronic consumption of monosodium glutamate and tartazine may disrupt metabolic processes, induce obesity, and impair cognitive functions, indicating potential health risks associated with these additives.<br /> (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
ISSN:1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.180295