r 5566 titanium dioxide factories

The titanium dioxide industry is a crucial sector in the global chemical market, with a wide range of applications in various industries such as paints, plastics, paper, and textiles. Titanium dioxide, also known as TiO2, is a white pigment that is widely used for its high refractive index and excellent stability. The demand for titanium dioxide has been steadily increasing over the years, driven by the growing construction and automotive industries.

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Australian researchers examined how titanium dioxide as a food additive affected gut microbiota in mice by orally administering it in drinking water. The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition in 2019, found the treatment could “alter the release of bacterial metabolites in vivo and affect the spatial distribution of commensal bacteria in vitro by promoting biofilm formation. We also found reduced expression of the colonic mucin 2 gene, a key component of the intestinal mucus layer, and increased expression of the beta defensin gene, indicating that titanium dioxide significantly impacts gut homeostasis.” The changes were then linked to colonic inflammation, along with a higher expression of inflammatory cytokines, which are signal proteins that help with regulation. The researchers concluded that titanium dioxide “impairs gut homeostasis which may in turn prime the host for disease development.”

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