Potassium sorbate and DNA damage in human blood cells
What it found
In human white blood cells grown in the lab, potassium sorbate raised some markers of DNA damage at higher doses.
It did not increase one other damage marker.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
Chromosome changes
Potassium sorbate significantly increased chromosomal aberrations, with or without gaps, at 500 and 1000 microg/ml compared with the control.
Sister-chromatid exchanges
Sister-chromatid exchanges rose significantly at 250, 500 and 1000 microg/ml after 24 hours, and at 125, 250, 500 and 1000 microg/ml after 48 hours.
DNA strand breaks
After isolated lymphocytes were treated for 1 hour, significant DNA strand breaks were seen at all four concentrations.
Micronucleus test
Potassium sorbate did not significantly affect the micronucleus test.
Cell division
There was no significant cell cycle delay, based on the cytokinesis-block proliferation index and replicative index. Only a slight drop in the mitotic index was seen at the highest concentration at both treatment times.
What the authors conclude
“From the results, PS is clearly seen to be genotoxic to the human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that potassium sorbate "is clearly seen to be genotoxic to the human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro".
How it was done
They treated human lymphocytes grown in the lab and freshly isolated human lymphocytes with four concentrations of potassium sorbate (125, 250, 500, and 1000 microg/ml), alongside negative and positive controls. They then measured chromosomal aberrations, sister-chromatid exchanges, micronucleus formation and DNA strand breaks.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These are lab tests on human blood cells, not studies in people. They can't show what happens when potassium sorbate is eaten in food.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Gazi University, Turkey
The paper
- Title
- Does potassium sorbate induce genotoxic or mutagenic effects in lymphocytes?
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Mamur S, Yüzbaşioğlu D, Unal F, Yilmaz S (2010). Does potassium sorbate induce genotoxic or mutagenic effects in lymphocytes?. Toxicology in vitro. doi:10.1016/j.tiv.2009.12.021PubMed 20036729DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error