Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2586386 Food and Chemical Toxicology 2009 5 Pages PDF
Abstract

The human metabolism and pharmacokinetics of ethyl Nα-lauroyl-L-arginate hydrochloride (LAE), a new antimicrobial agent for use in foods have been investigated using both in vitro and in vivo techniques with 14C-LAE and 13C-LAE respectively. LAE was readily hydrolysed to the corresponding lauroyl arginine (LAS) on incubation with human plasma samples to the extent of about 50% during 4 h. LAE was stable in simulated gastric fluid but in simulated intestinal fluid it was rapidly hydrolysed to LAS and arginine with more than 90% conversion to arginine after 1 h. Oral doses of 13C-LAE in propylene glycol were administered to human volunteers at dose levels of 1.5 mg/kg (4 subjects) and 2.5 mg/kg (2 subjects). LAE was only detected in two plasma samples in one individual at the higher dose level close to the limit of quantification (1 ng/ml). Maximum plasma concentrations of LAS generally occurred at 2 h with mean peak levels of 18.2 ng/ml (1.5 mg/kg dose) and 23.9 ng/ml (2.5 mg/kg dose). Maximum concentrations of 13C-arginine occurred earlier (0.5 to 1 h) and at much higher levels than LAS with mean peak levels of 124 ng/ml (1.5 mg/kg dose) and 240 ng/ml (2.5 mg/kg dose). The results showed that in humans LAE was rapidly metabolized to the naturally occurring dietary components lauric acid and arginine.

Related Topics
Life Sciences Agricultural and Biological Sciences Food Science
Authors
, , , , ,