Influence of Carrageenan (E 407) on the Membrane of Enterocytes Investigated by Fluorescent Probes Research Institute of Chemistry (Kharkiv)

Abstract

The influence on enterocytes membrane structure of added to the diet of rats food-additive carrageenan (E 407) was studied using fluorescent probes (derivatives of ortho-hydroxy oxazole). It was found that carrageenan changed hydration membrane of enterocytes in experimental animals. It was shown that carrageenan (E 407) caused changes in the polar regions of biological membranes and at the same time, the consumption of this food-additive didn’t lead to any changes in the hydrophobic parts of the membrane of enterocytes. Nature of detected changes allows to make a conclusion that enterocyte membranes in rats with chronic carrageenan-induced gastroenterocolitis have increased microviscosity.