Oral toxicities of lauric acid and certain lauric acid derivatives

Abstract Subacute toxicity data for lauric acid and sorbitan monclaurate (Span 20) and chronic toxicity data for lauric acid glycerides (S-1062) and polyoxyethylene-20 monolaurate (G-2129) in rats have been presented. Sorbitan monolaurate tested at 25, 20, and 15% levels for 23 weeks caused significant growth depression beginning at the lowest dietary level and significant increase in mortality at the 25% level. There was progressive enlargement of the common bile duct with each increase in dosage, and gangrene of the tail at all feeding levels, with a greater number of rats affected at the 25% dosage. Histologically, liver damage was pronounced and lung changes were present. Polyoxyethylene-20 monolaurate tested at 25, 10, 5, and 2% levels for two years caused growth retardation in male rats at the 25% level. Mortality data showed no significant differences from the controls. There was a progressive increase in incidence of liver cysts and distention of the cecum as the dosage increased. Feeding of lauric acid glycerides at 25% of the diet for two years caused only minor histological changes in the liver. In a group of 5 rats, not microscopically examined, feeding of lauric acid at 10% of the diet for 18 weeks had no deleterious effect.