Characterization of a new polymeric food contact coating with emphasis on the chemical analysis and safety assessment of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS).

Regulators have established safety requirements for food packaging raw materials and finished products, including by-products of polymer synthesis known as non-intentionally added substances (NIAS). However, there are no official guidance or regulations for best practices to evaluate the safety of NIAS. Here we described the process we followed to identify, characterize, and prioritize for safety assessment low molecular weight NIAS from an epoxy coating (V70) made with tetramethyl bisphenol F-based diglycidyl ether resin (TMBPF-DGE).

An expanded toxicological profile of tetramethyl bisphenol F (TMBPF), a precursor for a new food-contact metal packaging coating.

Tetramethyl bisphenol F (TMBPF) has been shown to impart unique physical properties critical for high performance of epoxy can coatings without the estrogenic activity concerns associated with other bisphenols. To further characterize the toxicological profile of TMBPF, additional endocrine-related endpoints including in vitro aromatase inhibition and steroidogenesis assays, and in vivo androgen agonism/antagonism were performed. Systemic toxicity was also assessed by a repeat dose 90-day dietary toxicity study followed by 28-day recovery period.

Transcriptional and post-translational modifications of B-Raf in quinol-thioether induced tuberous sclerosis renal cell carcinoma.

Increased activity of B-Raf has been identified in approximately 7% of human cancers. Treatment of Eker rats (Tsc-2(EK/+) ), bearing a mutation in one allele of the tuberous sclerosis-2 (Tsc-2) gene, with the nephrocarcinogen 2,3,5-tris-(glutathion-S-yl) hydroquinone (TGHQ) results in loss of the wild-type allele of Tsc-2 in renal preneoplastic lesions and tumors. These tumors have increased protein expression of B-Raf, C-Raf (Raf-1), and increased expression and activity of ERK kinase.