Review article: The effect of borax as a food additive on energy metabolism

Abstract

Borax is still widely used for food in the community. Borax can attack mitochondria and cytoplasm where cellular energy metabolism occurs. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of borax on energy metabolism. Settings and Design of this study used Review article. The writing method was based on scientific phenomena that occurred in the research which was then analyzed deeply based on theories taken from the scientific literature. The Result of this study, Boron ions affect the activity of at least 26 different enzymes that are needed for energy metabolism. Boric acid as active substances of borax can form stable complexes with hydroxyl compounds from glucose, protein and fat which are the raw materials for energy metabolism, and inhibit nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) activity which is a coenzyme in energy metabolism. Decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) due to boric acid through the binding of NAD+ and an increase in thermogenic protein pathways. The ATP reduction which disrupts ion pumps and accumulation of boron ions will damage the composition of ions in the cytoplasm where the process of glycolysis occurs. This ion pump disruption will also cause cell swelling, and disrupt the balance of ions which will lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and damage (the site of the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation). Conclusions of this study, Borax has a negative effect on energy metabolism, through the macronutrient, NAD+, enzymes, ATP, cytoplasm and mitochondria pathway.