# A Safety Evaluation of N-Acetylglucosamine Produced by Bacillus subtilis BNZR 2-7: A Comprehensive In Vitro and In Vivo Genotoxicity Assessment

## TL;DR

This study confirms that N-acetylglucosamine produced by a specific Bacillus subtilis strain is safe and not harmful to DNA in both lab and animal tests.

## Contribution

The study provides new in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity evidence for GlcNAc produced by Bacillus subtilis BNZR 2-7.

## Key findings

- GlcNAc was non-mutagenic in the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli.
- GlcNAc was non-genotoxic in the in vitro micronucleus assay with Chinese hamster ovary cells.
- In vivo tests in mice showed no genotoxic effects in erythrocyte or spermatocyte assays.

## Abstract

N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) is an important functional monosaccharide that serves as a key component in macromolecules such as cell walls and chitin. It has a wide range of applications in medicine, health supplements, and the chemical industry, leading to a growing market demand. This study evaluated the potential genotoxicity of GlcNAc produced by Bacillus subtilis BNZR 2-7 through a comprehensive assessment in vitro and in vivo assays. GlcNAc was non-mutagenic in the Ames test using Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. Meanwhile, GlcNAc was non-genotoxic in the in vitro micronucleus assay using Chinese hamster ovary cells. In the in vivo assays, GlcNAc was non-genotoxic in the in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test and spermatocyte chromosome aberration test in mice. These studies provide additional evidence that GlcNAc produced by Bacillus subtilis BNZR 2-7 is not genotoxic at the doses tested, supporting its safety for use in foods.