Safety evaluation of formulations containing carboxymethyl derivatives of starch and chitosan in albino rats.

Safety of 2 coating formulations for prolonging the shelf life of fruits and vegetables was evaluated. Coatings I and II were based on carboxymethyl derivatives of potato starch and shrimp chitosan. The formulations were administered to albino rats, either as coatings on feed pellets (1.3 and 1.0% of formulations I and II, respectively) or as a 1 ml, 2% aqueous solution over a 4 wk period. Neither of the 2 coating formulations led to any significant changes in body wt. gain, vital organ wt. or histopathological and haematological parameters. Results suggest that the coating formulations are safe.