Genotoxic Activity of Saccharin, Acesulfame-K, Stevia and Aspartame-Acesulfame-K in Commercial Form

Genotoxic activity of various concentrations of saccharin, acesulfame-K, aspartame-acesulfame-K and stevia in their commercial form was assessed. Human lymphocytes were exposed to different concentrations of saccharin, acesulfame-K, aspartame-acesulfame-K and stevia for 2 h and then subjected to alkaline comet assay system. Saccharin and the aspartame-acesulfame-K combination showed significant genotoxic activity (P<0.0001). Concentrations 0.5% of acesulfame-K and stevia did not induce significant genetic damage particularly stevia possesses antigenotoxic activity at 5%, 0.5% and 0.05%. Saccharin and the combination of aspartame-acesulfame- K have genotoxic activity and represent a genetic risk for consumers. Acesulfame-K and stevia are harmless and stevia even possesses antigenotoxic activity at concentrations below 5%.