Toxicity Profile for Vanillin (1990)

Abstract

Vanillin and vanilla have induced skin sensitization in humans, whilst ingestion has provoked intolerance reactions. Treatment with vanillin caused skin irritation in guinea-pigs and eye irritation in rabbits. In rodents, vanillin was of low to moderate acute oral toxicity. Repeated oral administration in rats may induce tissue effects at various sites including the liver, kidneys and spleen. A Soviet report described liver, kidney, spleen and lung abnormalities, together with effects on the red and white blood cells, in mice treated dermally and in rats exposed by inhalation. A limited dietary study in rats found no evidence of carcinogenicity. Vanillin induced chromosomal damage in human cells treated in culture, but showed no genotoxic activity in mice treated orally or in hamster cells in culture. There was no evidence of mutagenic activity in bacteria (including Ames tests) or in yeast.