THE DEVELOPMENTAL EVALUATION OF ASPERGILLUS TUBINGENSIS CTM 507 GLUCOSE OXIDASE TOXICITY IN WISTAR RATS

The glucose oxidase (GOD) produced by the fungus Aspergillus tubingensis will be used to improve the quality of bread. The GOD preparation was assessed in a set of toxicological tests to document its safety in use. The oral administration of the GOD preparation to rats at a dose level of 0.4 mg/kg body weight/day did not cause any overt toxic effect on the survival, food intake and body weight gain throughout the 4-week treatment period. The statistically significant changes in serum biochemical indices in treated groups like the increase in the blood glucose levels and the enzymatic activities of alpha amylase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were not concomitant with pertinent histopathological changes and were hence toxicologically inconsequential. No microscopic lesions attributable to the treatment were manifested in the experimental groups. The tested dose level has no-observed-adverse-effect level for developmental toxicity in rats. This GOD can be considered as a candidate for future application especially in the food industry. Practical Applications The GOD has gained considerable importance in biotechnological applications. In fact, this enzyme is a potential candidate for both biomedical and agricultural field including the biological control of crop pest as well as food processing and formulation. It also has great benefits to biopharmaceutical field. Few studies have so far dealt with the toxicity of GOD. Indeed, studying the toxicity of GOD from A. tubingensis, a new isolate fungus, was necessary to assess its potential application in many other fields. Results showed that GOD preparation was not toxic and could be potentially used for large-scale application. This study is of great interest as it gives us the chance to use the GOD preparation as a food additive and in bio-pharmacy.