Carcinogenic potential of catechin in salmonella-microsomal test system

Different varieties of catechu [widely used as betal paste] were subjected to mutagenic/ carcinogenic potential in Ames Salmonella-microsomal screening system. The findings indicated that none of the varieties of catechu, in recommended concentrations [500 Ug/plate] was able to increase [compared with the spontaneous reversions] the reversion mutations on his marker. Ethyl methane sulfonate and benzo [alpha] pyrene were used as standard mutagens