Ames fluctuation tests are more sensitive than plate tests in detects ecotoxicological and mutagenicity of factory effluents

ABSTRACT

In this study, an ecotoxicological and mutagenic characterization of liquid industrial wastes from Fertilizer Factory [FF] and Oils and Soap Company [OSC] has been performed using 3 short-term assays [the incorpo-Ames-fluctuation test, plate ration and preincubation tests] with Salmonella TA strains and E. coli. The expression of ecotoxicity data in terms of survivors demonstrate the dose-response toxic range for both effluents. The strains TA102 and TA1537 were found to be more sensitive to FF effluents-induced mutagenesis in a plate assays as well as TA102 and TA1538 with OSC effluents. The effluents of OSC was found to be excessively toxic to the revertants of TA1537. In the fluctuation tests, the maximum sensitivity for mutagenicity was achieved by the effluents of OSC other than of FF; in contrast, the effluents of FF were found to be weakly mutagenic and strongly toxic other than the wastes of OSC. However, the fluctuation technique using modified media was shown to detect a wider range of mutagenic effect of effluents than tests with standard media