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. 2021 Feb 3;19(2):e06386. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6386

Table G.1.

In vitro and in vivo genotoxicity data for furan‐substituted substances evaluated by the JECFA at the 65th (JECFA, 2006b) and 69th meeting (JECFA, 2009a)

Chemical name [FL‐no] JECFA‐no. Test system Test object Concentration/dose and test conditions Results Reference
In vitro

2‐Methylfuran

[13.030]s

1487

Reverse mutation S. Typhimurium TA98 and TA100 0.165, 0.330, 0.495 or 0.660 μmol/plate (13.5, 27.1, 40.6 or 54.2 μg/plate)a Negativeb Shinohara et al. (1986)
Reverse mutation S. Typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA102 and TA1535 Up to 10,000 μg/plate Negative(b),(c),(d) Zeiger et al. (1992)
Reverse mutation S. Typhimurium TA97 and TA104 Up to 10,000 μg/plate Equivocal(b),(c),(d) Zeiger et al. (1992)
Reverse mutation S. Typhimurium TA98, TA100 and TA102 11 nmol/plate to 1.1 mmol/plate (0.9–90,310 μg/plate)a Negativeb Aeschbacher et al. (1989)
DNA damage B. subtilis H17 (rec+) and M45 (rec) 0.16, 16 or 1,600 μg/disc

Negative

Positive(b),(e)

Shinohara et al. (1986)
Chromosomal aberration CHO cells 0–150 mmol/L (0–12,315 μg/mL)a Positive(b),(f) Stich et al. (1981)

2,5‐Dimethylfuran

[13.029]s

1488

Reverse mutation S. Typhimurium TA98 and TA100 0.165, 0.330, 0.495 or 0.660 μmol/plate (13.5, 27.1, 40.6 or 54.2 μg/plate)g Negativeb Shinohara et al. (1986)
Reverse mutation S. Typhimurium TA98 and TA100 Not specified Negativeb Lee et al. (1994)
Reverse mutation S. Typhimurium TA97, TA98, TA100 and TA1535 Up to 3,333 μg/plate Negative(b),(c),(d) Zeiger et al. (1992)
DNA damage B. subtilis H17 (rec+) and M45 (rec) 190, 1,900 or 9,500 μg/disc

Negative

Positive(b),(h)

Shinohara et al. (1986)
Chromosomal aberration Chinese hamster V79 cells 1 mmol/L (96.13 μg/mL)g Negative Ochi and Ohsawa (1985)
Chromosomal aberration CHO cells 0–20 mmol/L (0–1,923 μg/mL)g Positive(b),(f) Stich et al. (1981)

3‐Methyl‐2‐(3‐methylbut‐2‐enyl)‐furan

[13.148]

1494

Reverse mutation S. Typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA1537 3.2, 16, 80, 400 or 2,000 μg/plate Negativeb Asquith (1989)

2‐Acetylfuran

[13.054]

1503

Reverse mutation S. Typhimurium TA98 and TA100 0.165, 0.330, 0.495 or 0.660 μmol/plate (13.5, 27.1, 40.6 or 54.2 μg/plate)i

Negative

Positive(b),(j)

Shinohara et al. (1986)
DNA damage E. coli PQ37 (SOS chromotest) Not specified Slightly positivei Eder et al. (1993)
DNA damage B. subtilis H17 (rec+) and M45 (rec) 550, 5,500 or 55,000 μg/disc

Negative

Positive(b),(k)

Shinohara et al. (1986)
Chromosomal aberration CHO cells 0–112.6 mmol/L (0–13,220 μg/mL)i Positive(b),(l),(m) Stich et al. (1981)
UDS Human hepatocytes 2.19, 4.38, 8.75, 17.5, 35, 70, 140 or 280 μg/mL Negative Durward (2007a)
In vivo

2‐Methylfuran

[13.030]s

1487

Chromosomal aberration Mouse bone marrow cells and spermatocytes 1,000, 2,000 or 4,000 mg/kg (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg bw per day)n Negative Subramanyam et al. (1989)

2‐Acetylfuran

[13.054]

1503

Chromosomal aberration Mouse bone marrow 1,000, 2,000 or 3,000 mg/L (20, 40 or 60 mg/kg bw)o Positive(p),(q) Sujatha et al. (1993)
Chromosomal aberration Mouse spermatocytes 1,000, 2,000 or 3,000 mg/L (20, 40 or 60 mg/kg bw)o Negativer Sujatha et al. (1993)
SCE Mouse bone marrow 1,000, 2,000 or 3,000 mg/L (20, 40 or 60 mg/kg bw)o Positive Sujatha (2007)
UDS Rat liver 7 or 21 mg/kg bw Negative Durward (2007b)

CHO: Chinese hamster ovary; SCE, sister chromatid exchange; UDS, unscheduled DNA synthesis.

a

Calculated using relative molecular mass of 2‐methylfuran = 82.1.

b

With and without metabolic activation.

c

Preincubation method.

d

Occasional incidences of slight to complete clearing of the background lawn at the higher concentrations.

e

Negative at all concentrations with metabolic activation; positive without metabolic activation.

f

Clastogenic activity decreased with metabolic activation (statistical significance of results was not specified).

g

Calculated using relative molecular mass of 2,5‐dimethylfuran = 96.13.

h

Positive at every concentration without metabolic activation; with metabolic activation, negative at 190 μg/disc, but positive at higher concentrations.

i

Calculated using relative molecular mass of 2‐furyl methyl ketone = 110.11.

j

Positive only in strain TA98 with an increase in the presence of metabolic activation.

k

Negative at 550 μg/disc; positive at 5,500 and 55,000 μg/disc (with and without metabolic activation).

l

Cytotoxicity was observed at 12 398 μg/mL (112.6 mmol/L) in the presence of metabolic activation.

m

Clastogenic activity increased with metabolic activation (statistical significance of results was not specified).

n

Mice received 2‐methylfuran in the diet for 5 consecutive days at 24‐h intervals.

o

Two experimental protocols were utilised. In one experiment, animals received single oral dose administrations of the test compound. In the other experiment, the test compound was orally administered once per day at the same concentrations as in the single‐dose study for 5 consecutive days with 24‐h intervals between doses.

p

No effects observed at 20 mg/kg bw dose level and only mild, but significant (p < 0.05) effects seen at higher concentrations in bone marrow cells.

q

Chromosomal aberrations were observed in the presence of significant mitodepression.

r

A single statistically significant occurrence of increased chromosomal aberrations observed 3 weeks following a single dose administration in the 60 mg/kg bw test group; statistically significant increases in polyploidy and XY univalents observed at weeks 3 and 4 at 60 mg/kg bw in multiple dose‐treated rats.

s

Substance deleted from the Union list. Commission Regulation (EU) No 246/2014 of 13 March 2014 amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards removal from the Union list of certain flavouring substances. OJ L 74, 14.3.2014, p. 58–60.