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Effects of Diet on Amaranth (FD & C Red No. 2) Toxicity in the Rat¹

Institute for Nutritional Studies, Culver City, California 90230

Tests were conducted on the effects of diet on the response of rats to massive doses of amaranth (FD & C Red no. 2). When incorporated at a 5% level in a stock ration based on common feed ingredients, amaranth had little if any adverse effect on weight increment or gross appearance, and all rats survived an experimental period of 21 days. When fed with a purified diet, however, amaranth at a 5% level in the ration resulted in a virtual cessation of growth, an unthrifty appearance of the fur and death within the first 2 weeks of feeding. Supplements of the known nutrients either alone or in combination when incorporated in the purified diet had little if any protective effect. The toxic effects of amaranth in the purified diet were counteracted, however, by a supplement of 10% cellulose or supplements of 10% alfalfa meal, alfalfa residue, watercress powder or parsley powder. The protective effects of the latter plant fiber-containing materials were greater than could be accounted for on the basis of their cellulose content per se.

KEY WORDS: • dietary fiber • amaranth • FD & C Red no. 2

¹ Supported in part by a grant from the Institute of Nutritional Research, Los Angeles, Calif.

Manuscript received 18 January 1974.