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- Description:
- Artificial sweeteners are a relatively recent addition to the human diet. These substances, developed to fight rising obesity and diabetes rates by providing a low calorie sugar substitute, have become very popular among consumers. The result has been increased consumption of chemicals whose effects on the human body are not fully understood. The purpose of these experiments is to determine the effects of the artificial sweeteners sucralose, saccharin, rebaudioside (in Stevia) and aspartame on development of Xenopus laevis embryos. Trials consisted of four experimental groups and one control group. Each experimental group consisted of one artificial sweetener dissolved in aged tap water at a concentration of 10 µg/ml. The control group was exposed only to aged tap water. The rate of subsequent development was measured and photos were taken of specimens to record any morphological changes. Results, with the exception of a single saccharin trial, indicated that the rate of development was unaffected by the artificial sweeteners. However, in several trials individuals in the aspartame group presented with tail defects in which the tail appeared underdeveloped and curved.
- Keyword:
- saccharine, sucralose, aspartame, artificial sweeteners, and Stevia
- Creator:
- Graffin, Robert
- Contributor:
- Dr. Laura Twersky, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/23/2019
- Date Modified:
- 10/23/2019
- Date Created:
- May 2016
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper
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- Description:
- Obesity currently affects more than one-third of adults and 17 percent of youth in the United States while at least 24 million children and adults have type II diabetes. In an attempt to reduce the intake of calories, artificial sweeteners are often used to replace natural sugars, such as sucrose, in commonly consumed foods and drinks. With the rise of artificial sweetener usage there has been much speculation on their adverse effects, as well as those of sugar. While extensive research has been done on the carcinogenic effects of aspartame, far too few of it pertains to its effects on neurological development. Likewise, there is limited data that currently links the use of aspartame to changes in cardiac function, although more research is starting to suggest that greater aspartame consumption may have a role in the development of cardiovascular disease. This study investigates the effects of sucrose and aspartame, individually and in combination on larval development in Xenopus laevis (African clawed frog). Xenopus laevis embryos are an appropriate model organism due to the rapid rate of development and a transparent larval stage. Specimens were incubated in aspartame and sucrose concentrations of 10 μg/ml and 25 μg/ml. The rate of development of each group is analyzed and compared to the control group to draw a connection between the exposure to the compounds and their development; thus investigating a causal relationship. Embryos were photographed for any morphological changes. Preliminary results indicate that there were no observed changes in the neural development of the X. laevis however, the heart rates of those exposed to 25 μg/ml of aspartame were twice the rate of those exposed to lower concentrations of aspartame and of sucrose. Further research is needed to understand the effects of aspartame on the cardiovascular changes that result.
- Keyword:
- sucrose, Xenopus laevis, aspartame, and artificial sweeteners
- Creator:
- Olcese, Rebecca
- Contributor:
- Dr. Christina Mortellaro, Thesis Advisor
- Owner:
- lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
- Publisher:
- Saint Peter's University
- Date Uploaded:
- 10/23/2019
- Date Modified:
- 10/23/2019
- Date Created:
- May 2019
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright
- Resource Type:
- Research Paper