According to a collaborative research study published by the American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, six artificial sweeteners indicate relative toxicity (aspartame, sucralose, saccharine, neotame, advantame, and acesulfame potassium-k) and 10 sport supplements contain these artificial sweeteners. When the bacteria found in the digestive system are exposed to concentrations of only one mg./ml. of the artificial sweeteners, they became toxic.
"We modified bioluminescent E. coli bacteria, which luminesce when they detect toxicants and act as a sensing model representative of the complex microbial system," says Prof. Ariel Kushmaro, John A. Ungar Chair in Biotechnology in the Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, and member of the Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev. "This is further evidence that consumption of artificial sweeteners adversely affects gut microbial activity which can cause a wide range of health issues."
Artificial sweeteners are used in several food products and soft drinks with reduced sugar content. Individuals consume these artificial sweeteners without their knowledge. In addition, artificial sweeteners have been identified as emerging environmental pollutants; they can be found in drinking and surface water, and groundwater aquifers.
"The results of this study might help in understanding the relative toxicity of artificial sweeteners and the potential of negative effects on the gut microbial community as well as the environment.
Furthermore, the tested bioluminescent bacterial panel can potentially be used for detecting artificial sweeteners in the environment," says Prof. Kushmaro.
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Materials provided by American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
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