Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Ethoxyquin Used As an Antioxidant

Ethoxyquin (EQ; 6-ethoxy-1,2-dihydro-2,2,4-trimethylquinoline) is widely used as an antioxidant in animal feed and may be carried over to food products of animal origin. It is believed that there are no adverse effects to human health resulting from exposure to EQ as long as it is used at the permitted concentrations. Nevertheless, some harmful effects in animals were observed in the 1980s and some studies were undertaken to evaluate EQ toxicity. This paper reviews EQ’s potential pro-oxidant activity and the ability to cause DNA damage and chromosome aberrations, which may have negative biological consequences. Food safety aspects are also discussed.