Classification of mutagenic and nonmutagenic kohl by using ames salmonella assay

ABSTRACT

Ames Salmonella mutagenicity tester strains [TA98 and TA100] were used to screen ten brands of kohl for the detection of potential carcinogens. Samples of kohl selected for this study included both antimony-based powders and mixtures of various burnt organic materials. The assay was performed with and without a metabolic activation system consisting of Aroclor-induced rat liver homogenate plus cofactors. Out of the ten brands of kohl tested [acetone extracts], two were found to contain mutagenic agent[s] while others failed to show a twofold increase in the number of histidine revertants per plate. The ones lacking mutagenic activity were mostly antimony-based powders. A chemical analysis of six brands of kohl failed to reveal the presence of agents like benzo[a]pyrene or 7, 12 dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, while three brands were found to contain aliphatic hydrocarbons. The importance of minimizing human exposure exposure to mutagenic, and potentially carcinogenic kohl has been emphasized