Safety assessment of DHA-rich microalgae from Schizochytrium sp.

The purpose of this series of studies was to assess the genotoxic potential of docosahexaenoic acid-rich microalgae from Schizochytrium sp. (DRM). DRM contains oil rich in highly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA n-3) is the most abundant PUFA component of the oil ( approximately 29% w/w of total fatty acid content). DHA-rich extracted oil from Schizochytrium sp. is intended for use as a nutritional ingredient in foods. All in vitro assays were conducted with and without mammalian metabolic activation. DRM was not mutagenic in the Ames reverse mutation assay using five different Salmonella histidine auxotroph tester strains. Mouse lymphoma suspension assay methodology was found to be inappropriate for this test material because precipitating test material could not be removed by washing after the intended exposure period and the precipitate interfered with cell counting. The AS52/XPRT assay methodology was not subject to these problems and DRM was tested and found not to be mutagenic in the CHO AS52/XPRT gene mutation assay. DRM was not clastogenic to human peripheral blood lymphocytes in culture. Additionally, DRM did not induce micronucleus formation in mouse bone marrow in vivo further supporting its lack of any chromosomal effects. Overall, the results of this series of mutagenicity assays support the conclusion that DRM does not have any genotoxic potential. (c) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).