Investigation of effects of the food dyes on intestinal flora and LacZ gene expression

Nutrition is one of the most basic needs for the continuation of human life. When compared with almost fifty years ago, we can say that our eating habits changed completely. Today, because of attractive images, without thinking too much on the prepared food that we consume, we are rapidly moving away from natural foods. Food additives are used to impart color, to extend the shelf life of prepared food and to protect from pathogens that cause spoilage. Synthetic food dyes not found in nature according to their chemical structures, but are produced via chemical synthesis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Brilliant Blue and Dark Green food dyes on the Escherichia coli which is part of the intestinal flora. The 3 different concentrations studied of each food dyes. The bacteria treated for 20 days and bacterial counts daily performed. The effects of each dyes on the growth of bacteria and Lac Z expression were determined by real time PCR. Especially after 12 day, bacterial growth in the group of bacteria that treated with Brilliant Blue and Dark Green have been found to decrease compared to control group. Both food dyes were found to not influence significantly on generation of E. coli by the expression of the LacZ gene.