Detection and classification of mutagens with a new salmonella typhimurium tester strains

ABSTRACT

This paper described a model that relates the actual effect measured in the Salmonella test, i.e. the number of revertants colonies, the number of survivors and their relationship with the dose-response. A detection and classification system for mutagens has been developed using a new tester strain, TA102, this strain contains AT base pairs at the site of the mutation, in contrast to other Salmonella tester strains that detect mutagens damaging GC base pairs. The new strains detects a variety of aldehydes, including petroleum ether and hexane, oxidative mutagen, including phenylhydrazine as well as factory effluents. Most of these mutagens as well as factory effluents demonstrate a linear dose response for revertants induced over the spontaneous value which is evidence for mutagenicity and also for cell survivors at levels that are not excessively toxic to the bacteria. All of compounds tested on the bacteria resulted in negative and positive correlation for cell survivors and revertants induced, respectively