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Assessing the Safety of Mechanically Fibrillated Cellulose Nanofibers (fib-CNF) via Toxicity Tests on Mice: Single Intratracheal Administration and 28 Days’ Oral Intake
Summary
Researchers conducted a 28-day safety study of mechanically fibrillated cellulose nanofibers in mice via both inhalation and oral routes, testing the hypothesis that natural cellulose nanomaterials used in food and composites are safe. Toxicity tests found no significant adverse effects at the tested doses, supporting the safety profile of these bio-based nanomaterials.
Mechanically fibrillated cellulose nanofibers, known as fib-CNF (fiber length: 500 nm; diameter: 45 nm), are used in composites and as a natural thickener in foods. To evaluate their safety, we conducted a 28-day study in mice with inhalation exposure at 0.2 mg/body and oral administration of 400 mg/kg/day. Inhalation exposure to fib-CNF caused transient weight loss, changes in blood cell counts, and increased lung weights. These changes were attributed to adaptive responses. The oral administration of fib-CNF for 28 days resulted in no apparent toxic effects except for a slight decrease in platelet counts. The fib-CNF administration using the protocols studied appears to be safe in mice.
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