Mutagenicity of Edible Palm Oil on the Ghanaian Market before and after Repeated Heating

Red palm oil produced in Ghana largely by village folks has never been tested for its mutagenic potential. The study aimed at determining the mutagenicity of high-energy heated red palm oil (RRPO) and refined, bleached imported palm oil (PO) on the Ghanaian market. Samples of RRPO and PO were 1x and 5x heated for 10 min at 180 degrees C with a cooling period of 5 h in-between. Unheated, together with heated samples, were tested for mutagenicity using Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 100 tester stains. Unheated PO was negative for the Ames mutagenicity test with TA 98 strain. However, 1x and 5x heated PO were mutagenic (P = 0.05, each). Testing PO, using TA 100 strain was negative. RRPO was mutagenic with TA 98 strain for heated oils (P = 0.05, each). Assays with TA 100 strain showed highly significant mutations (P = 0.001, each) that increased with increasing heating frequency. PO 1x and 5x heated samples caused significant frameshift mutation in the S. typhimurium TA 98 strain. RRPO caused highly significant point and frameshift mutations in heated samples. Furthermore, unheated RRPO mutagenic potential has serious health implications. Practical Application The link between mutagenicity and carcinogenicity is not far fetched. Since cancer is multifactorial of which diet is a key player, there is the need to eliminate possible sources of mutagens no matter how small their contributions may be. Mutagenic screening of edible palm oil on the market will reduce the exposure and subsequent health risk.