Review of harmful gastrointestinal effects of carrageenan in animal experiments.

Tobacman, J K

doi:10.1289/ehp.01109983

Cited by 370Carcinogens and Genotoxicity AssessmentPolysaccharides Composition and ApplicationsSeaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds

Review of harmful gastrointestinal effects of carrageenan in animal experiments.

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Tobacman, J K·2001·Environmental Health Perspectives

DOI 10.1289/ehp.01109983PMC PMC1242073

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Abstract

In this article I review the association between exposure to carrageenan and the occurrence of colonic ulcerations and gastrointestinal neoplasms in animal models. Although the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 1982 identified sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of degraded carrageenan in animals to regard it as posing a carcinogenic risk to humans, carrageenan is still used widely as a thickener, stabilizer, and texturizer in a variety of processed foods prevalent in the Western diet. I reviewed experimental data pertaining to carrageenan's effects with particular attention to the occurrence of ulcerations and neoplasms in association with exposure to carrageenan. In addition, I reviewed from established sources mechanisms for production of degraded carrageenan from undegraded or native carrageenan and data with regard to carrageenan intake. Review of these data demonstrated that exposure to undegraded as well as to degraded carrageenan was associated with the occurrence of intestinal ulcerations and neoplasms. This association may be attributed to contamination of undegraded carrageenan by components of low molecular weight, spontaneous metabolism of undegraded carrageenan by acid hydrolysis under conditions of normal digestion, or the interactions with intestinal bacteria. Although in 1972, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration considered restricting dietary carrageenan to an average molecular weight > 100,000, this resolution did not prevail, and no subsequent regulation has restricted use. Because of the acknowledged carcinogenic properties of degraded carrageenan in animal models and the cancer-promoting effects of undegraded carrageenan in experimental models, the widespread use of carrageenan in the Western diet should be reconsidered.

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Rhodophytes, predominantly species in the Gigartinales (e.g., Hypnea musciformis), produce carrageenan, which is widely used as a food additive.
“Rhodophytes, predominantly species in the Gigartinales (e.g., Hypnea musciformis), also produce the compound carrageenan, which is widely used as a food additive (Tobacman, 2001;Ciancia et al., 2020).”
From Novel Lethal Clostridial Infection in Florida Manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris): Cause of the 2013 Unusual Mortality Event in the Indian River Lagoon (2022) · cites this paper as Tobacman, 2001
The introduction states that carrageenan is extracted from red seaweed and is widely used as a food additive. The Characteristics of Carrageenan table lists Chondrus, Gigartina, and Eucheuma as predominant sources, but our copy does not identify Gigartinales as the predominant order or name Hypnea musciformis. (LLM, conf=0.87)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Carrageenans have the potential to be harmful.
“Carrageenans have the potential to be harmful (Tobacman 2001).”
From Algae as nutritional and functional food sources: revisiting our understanding. (2017) · cites this paper as Tobacman 2001
Harmful gastrointestinal effects of both native and degraded carrageenans followed by the induction of neoplasms in animal experiments were reported.
“However, harmful gastrointestinal effects of both native and degraded carrageenans followed by the induction of neoplasms in animal experiments were reported [99].”
From Anticancer and Cancer Preventive Properties of Marine Polysaccharides: Some Results and Prospects (2013) · cites this paper as [99]

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“Rhodophytes, predominantly species in the Gigartinales (e.g., Hypnea musciformis), also produce the compound carrageenan, which is widely used as a food additive (Tobacman, 2001; Ciancia et al., 2020).”
Background

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Authors: Tobacman, J. K.
Affiliations: University of Iowa (US)
Corresponding author: Tobacman, J K
ORCID: Tobacman, J K
Venue: Environmental Health Perspectives
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Published: 2001-10-01
Volume: 109
Issue: 10
Pages: 983-994
ISSN: 0091-6765 (ISSN-L)
1552-9924
DOI: 10.1289/ehp.01109983
PMC: PMC1242073
OpenAlex: W1978566475
Cited by: 370
References: 100
Citations by year: 2026: 15 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 36 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 15
FWCI: 2.27
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
doi.org
Licence: public-domain
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (vor, 5933 d)
Locations: Environmental Health Perspectives (publishedVersion, public-domain)
Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Carcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment
Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Polysaccharides Composition and Applications
Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds
Keywords: carrageenan, colonic ulceration, intestinal tumors, colorectal cancer, food additives, acid hydrolysis, gut microbiota, molecular weight, food additive regulation, carcinogenicity, animal models
MeSH terms: Animals, Carrageenan, Cell Transformation, Neoplastic, Colonic Diseases, Diet, Disease Models, Animal, Ferrets, Gastrointestinal Neoplasms, Guinea Pigs, Cricetinae, Humans, Hydrolysis, Macaca mulatta, Rabbits, Saimiri, Ulcer, Mice, Rats

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Review of harmful gastrointestinal effects of carrageenan in animal experiments.

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