Evaluation of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and its major metabolites in the ames test and L5178Y mouse lymphoma mutagenicity assay

Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and its two major metabolites, mono-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (MEHP) and 2-ethylhexanol (EH), were tested for genetic activity in both the Salmonella/mammalian microsome mutagenicity (Ames) assay and the L5178Y TK^+/— mouse lymphoma cell mutagenicity assay. All chemicals were tested in both the presence and absence of Aroclor-induced liver microsomes prepared from male Sprague-Dawley rats. Dose levels for both assays were selected from preliminary toxicity studies for each chemical. Neither DEHP, MEHP, nor EH exhibited any significant mutagenic activity in strains TA-98, TA-100, TA-1535, TA-1537, and TA-1538 in the Ames test or when tested in the L5178Y TK^+/ — mouse lymphoma cell mutagenicity assay.     

In vitro genotoxicity of dyes present in colored smoke munitions

Genetic toxicology studies were conducted on organic dyes and mixtures used in colored smoke munitions. The dyes studied included Solvent Red 1; two different batches (Lot 1 and Lot 2) of Disperse Red 11; terephthalic acid; and a mixture of 25 parts Solvent Red 1, 5 parts Disperse Red 11, and 16 parts terephthalic acid. The dyes were evaluated for their ability to produce mutations in Salmonella bacterial strains and in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The dyes were also tested in CHO cells to determine cytotoxicity and the induction of sister chromatid exchanges and chromosome aberration. None of the dyes were genotoxic in the standard Ames assay using bacterial strain TA1535 or TA100 with or without the addition of S-9 or in TA98 and TA1538 without S-9. With S-9, Disperse Red 11 (Lot 2) showed significant mutagenic activity in TA98 and TA1538 which increased as a function of S-9 concentration. However, the maximum level of mutagenic activity detected was low (3.8 revertants/micrograms). The azo dye Solvent Red 1 was also negative in a pre-incubation assay designed to reduce azo compounds to free amines. Solvent Red 1 was cytotoxic to mammalian cells, caused a significant increase in SCE, but was not mutagenic or clastogenic. Disperse Red 11 (Lot 1 and Lot 2) were not cytotoxic or clastogenic but produced an increase in cell cycle time and SCE frequency. Only Disperse Red 11 (Lot 2) increased mutations in the CHO/hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT) assay. The mutagenic activity of the dye mixture was not significant, suggesting no synergistic interaction between the dyes. These studies demonstrated that none of the dyes was clastogenic and that a contaminant in Disperse Red 11 (Lot 2) may be responsible for the weak mutagenic activity in both mammalian and bacterial cell systems.     

Evaluation of the mutagenicity of an N-nitroso contaminant of the sunscreen Padimate O: N-nitroso-N-methyl-p-aminobenzoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester (NPABAO).

The nitrosamine contaminant, N-nitroso-N-methyl-p-aminobenzoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester (NPABAO), of the major sunscreen ingredient Padimate O (4-N,N'-dimethylamino-benzoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester) was synthesized and tested for mutagenicity in the Salmonella typhimurium and mouse lymphoma L5178Y TK +/- assays. In contrast to the previously reported positive responses in S. typhimurium tester strains TA100 and TA1535 [Loeppky et al., 1991], there were no increases in the number of revertants with strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1538 in either the Salmonella plate incorporation [Ames et al., 1975] or preincubation [Yahagi et al., 1977] assays. Additional testing with Salmonella, following the modified preincubation procedure [Rogan, 1990] that gave the initial positive response, was also negative. Data from the mouse lymphoma assays were also uniformly negative. During synthesis of NPABAO, small amounts of 4-N,N'-dimethylamino-3-nitrobenzoic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester (DMANBAO) can be formed. To determine whether the reported positive mutagenicity response of NPABAO could be the result of trace amounts of DMANBAO in the NPABAO, that compound was also synthesized and tested for mutagenicity with Salmonella. Positive responses were obtained with tester strains TA98 and TA 1538 but not with TA100 and TA1535, indicating that DMANBAO was not responsible for the increase in revertants originally reported.     

Mutagenicity tests of fabric-finishing agents in salmonella typhimurium: Fiber-reactive wool dyes and cotton flame retardants

Thirty-nine fabric-finishing agents were tested for mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium. Twenty-four fiber-reactive wool dyes and three acid dyes (not fiber-reactive) were screened by spot tests in strains TA100, TA98, TA1535, and TA1537. Among these dyes, seven bromoacrylamide dyes and one vinyl sulfone dye were mutagenic. Additionally, one of the three acid dyes was mutagenic in spot tests. The mutagenicity of the acid dye was due to an impurity or breakdown product rather than to the dye itself; the origin of the activities of the other dyes is unknown. No mutagenicity was observed among five chlorotriazine or four sulfonyl-ethane sulfonic acid dyes. Eight phosphorus-containing flame retardants (phosphonium, phosphine, phosphine oxide, and phosphonic acid derivatives) and methyl-N-methylolcarbamate, which is employed to obtain a flame-retardant finish on cotton, were tested for mutagenicity in strains TA100, TA98, TA1535, and TA1537, using quantitative incorporation assays. All were nonmutagenic. Two of three bromoalkyl-substituted triazine flame retardants were mutagenic in strains TA100 and TA1535. It is unknown whether this activity is due to impurities or to the parent compound. The flame retardants tested were either in actual commercial use or in experimental development for potential commercial processes. These results indicate the need for early testing of potential fabric-finishing agents and processes.     

Mutagenicity testing of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and related chemicals in Salmonella

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and 33 other phthalates, ethylhexanol derivatives, and related chemicals were tested for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537 without metabolic activation and in the presence of rat and hamster liver S-9 metabolic activation systems. No mutagenic activity was seen with any of the chemicals tested.     

Genotoxicity of multifunctional acrylates in the Salmonella/mammalian-microsome assay and mouse lymphoma TK+/-assay

Multifunctional acrylates are being used increasingly as replacements for solvents, and occupational and general population exposure to this structural class is expanding. Four multifunctional acrylates and acrylic acid were tested for mutagenicity in the Salmonella typhimurium and mouse lymphoma L5178Y TK+/-assays. In the Salmonella assay, two of the compounds (trimethylolpropane triacrylate and trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate) showed weakly positive results with a single tester strain (TA1535) in the presence of hamster liver S9; the other three compounds were negative. All five compounds were negative in the Salmonella assay without S9 activation. In the mouse lymphoma assay, two of the compounds (acrylic acid and ethylene glycol diacrylate) were positive in both the presence and the absence of S9, one compound was positive only in the presence of S9 (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), and one compound was positive only in the absence of S9 (trimethylolpropane triacrylate).     

Evaluation of biotoxicity of textile dyes using two bioassays

The toxicity of eight textile dyes was evaluated using two bioassays namely: Ames test and seed germination test. The Ames test is widely used for the evaluation of hazardous mutagenic effect of different chemicals, as a short-term screening test for environmental impact assessment. The eight-textile dyes and Eithidium bromide dye (as positive control) were tested with five "his" Salmonella typhimurium strains: TA 100; TA 98; TA 1535; TA 1537; TA 1538. Using six concentrations of each dye (2.5 microg/ml, 4.5 microg/ml, 9 microg/ml, 13.5 microg/ml, 18 microg/ml, and 22.5 microg/ml) revealed that, most of the dyes were mutagenic for the test strains used in this study. The high concentrations of dye eliminated microbial colonies due to the high frequency of mutation causing lethal effect on the cells.In this work the phytotoxicity of different soluble textile dyes was estimated by measuring the relative changes in seed germination of four plants: clover, wheat, tomato and lettuce. The changes in shooting percentages and root length as affected by dye were also measured. Seed germination percent and shoot growth as well as root length were recorded after 6 days of exposure to different concentrations of textile dyes in irrigation water. The results show that high concentrations of dyes were more toxic to seed germination as compared with the lower concentrations. However, the low concentrations of the tested dyes adversely affected the shooting percent significantly.     

Mutagenicity of chili extract and capsaicin in short-term tests

Vanillin, capsaicin and chili extracts were tested for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium histidine-deficient tester strains TA 98, TA 100, TA 1535, TA 1537, and TA 1538. Vanillin was nonmutagenic, whereas chili extract and capsaicin were mutagenic with metabolic activation. Capsaicin, an active component of chili extract, was the more potent mutagen. The positive samples were also tested in two mammalian test systems: the micronucleus test and the 8-azaguanine-resistant mutagenesis assay that used V79 Chinese hamster cells. It was observed that both were negative for the latter test at the dose level tested, whereas in the micronucleus test, only capsaicin was positive near the LD50 dose. Capsaicin also inhibited DNA synthesis in the testes of Swiss mice injected at two dose levels.     

Strategies to reduce the cost of mutagenicity screening with the Salmonella assay

An extensive Salmonella assay database was analyzed in order to develop strategies to reduce costs of screening chemicals for mutagenicity. This database was obtained from testing 941 samples (representing 799 chemicals), 36% of which were judged mutagenic. Strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537 without activation, with rat liver S-9, and with hamster liver S-9, make up the 12 strain/activation combinations considered here. The testing strategies examined consist of two or three stages; a positive result at any stage is regarded as definitive and stops the testing. Sequential testing improves efficiency by eliminating the need for further experimentation once a chemical has been found to be mutagenic. Consequently, costs and effort are reduced. For screening chemicals in the Salmonella assay, it is our recommendation that a sequential testing scheme be adopted whose initial stage consists of TA100.     

Enhancing bioremoval of textile dyes by eight fungal strains from media supplemented with gelatine wastes and sucrose

Eight Aspergillus strains were found to be successful in removing textile dyes from liquid media. These fungal strains were grown on medium containing: gelatine wastes and sucrose, as sources of nitrogen and carbon to test the possible speed up of the dyes removing while fungus biomass is building up in the media. The growth of fungal strains ranged from 10 to 110 mg biomass dry weight/100 ml medium. This growth induced high decolorization percentages, which ranged 33-95% within eight days. Two textile dyes Direct brown and Polar red were included in the study. The growth of the fungal strains as well as decolorization percentage of the dyes increased after 5, 6, and 8 days from incubation time with most tested strains. With Direct brown dye the strains number 2, 5, 31 and 37 recorded the highest percentage of decolorization (91, 92, 93 and 95 respectively) after incubation for 6 days. Fungal strains Aspergillus 5 and 31 gave the highest mycelium dry weight being 110 mg. Most of fungal strains induced 86 to 95 percentage of decolorization after 6 days incubation with Polar red dye. The possible toxicity of the remaining supernatant media after fungal biomass removal was tested by Ames test to assess the residual mutagenic agents remaining after dye removal, using three strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 1538). The results showed that the toxicity of the dyes, measured by Ames test could be removed by the dye absorption on the fungal biomass.     

Mutagenicity of resin acids identified in pulp and paper mill effluents using the salmonella/mammalian-microsome assay

Ten resin acids which have been identified as constituents of pulp and paper mill effluents have been examined for potential mutagenicity in the Salmonella/mammalian-microsome assay. Only neoabietic acid has been found to be mutagenic. Neoabietic acid showed dose-related increases in mutagenicity in strains TA1535, TA100, TA1538, and TA98, but not in strain TA1537. Metabolic activation with a preparation of Aroclor 1254-induced liver homogenate (S9) slightly reduced the mutagenic responses. Negative responses were found for abietic acid, dehydroabietic acid, levopimaric acid, 7-oxodehydroabietic acid, monochlorodehydroabietic acid, dichlorodehydroabietic acid, pimaric acid, isopimaric acid, and sandaracopimaric acid.     

Mutagenicity of resin acids identified in pulp and paper mill effluents using the Salmonella/mammalian-microsome assay.

Ten resin acids which have been identified as constituents of pulp and paper mill effluents have been examined for potential mutagenicity in the Salmonella/mammalian-microsome assay. Only neoabietic acid has been found to be mutagenic. Neoabietic acid showed dose-related increases in mutagenicity in strains TA1535, TA100, TA1538, and TA98, but not in strain TA1537. Metabolic activation with a preparation of Aroclor 1254-induced liver homogenate (S9) slightly reduced the mutagenic responses. Negative responses were found for abietic acid, dehydroabietic acid, levopimaric acid, 7-oxodehydroabietic acid, monochlorodehydroabietic acid, dichlorodehydroabietic acid, pimaric acid, isopimaric acid, and sandaracopimaric acid.     

The SIMULTEST: a new approach to screening chemicals with the Salmonella reversion assay

A new Salmonella mutagenicity test method is under development to test a chemical with more than one strain simultaneously (the "SIMULTEST"), that is, different Salmonella typhimurium tester strains are used in combination on the same plate. Strains are combined in two sets: strains with plasmid pKM101 (TA97, TA98, TA100, and TA102) and strains without the plasmid (TA1535, TA1537, and TA1538). The SIMULTEST combinations successfully detect the mutagenic activity of five mutagens in different chemical classes. This approach may be useful in reducing the workload associated with mutagenicity testing with Salmonella.     

Mutagenic activity in synthetic pyrethroids in Salmonella typhimurium

Four pyrethroids, allethrin, resmethrin, permethrin and fen-valerate,were tested for mutagenicity in bacterial reversion assay systemswith seven strains (TA1535, TA100, TA1538, TA98, TA1537, TA97and TA104) of Salmonella typhimurium. Our results show thatthree pyrethroids, namely resmethrin, permethrin and fenvalerate,were not found to be mutagenic in S. typhimurium in the presenceor absence of a rat liver activation system. Allethrin was foundto be mutagenic with TA100, TA104 and TA97 strains and requiredmetabolic activation (S9 mix) in order to show its activity,mainly with TA100 and TA104 strains.     

SOS induction in Escherichia coli and Salmonella mutagenicity: a comparison using 330 compounds

To examine the concordance of two microbial genotoxicity short-termassays, 330 experimental results for the SOS chromotest usingtester strain Escherichia coli PQ37 were compared with the resultsof the Salmonella/mammalian microsome mutagenicity assay withSalmonella typhimurium TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102, TA104, TA1535,TA1537 and/or TA1538. With respect to qualitative features,the concordance between SOS chromotest and Salmonella mutagenicitytest results was 86.4% (sensitivity, 78.6%; specificity, 100%;     

Formaldehyde is a bacterial mutagen in a range of Salmonella and Escherichia indicator strains

Formaldehyde was examined for bacterial mutagenicity using Escherichiacoli WP2(pKM101) and WP2uvrA(pKM101), and Salmonella typhimuriumTA1535, TA1537, TA1538, TA98, TA100 and TA102, in the absenceof any exogenous source of metabolic activation. Using pre-incubationexposure, clear mutagenicity was seen for TA98, TA100 and TA102,and both E.coli strains. In standard plate-incorporation assays,consistent mutagenicity was seen only for TA100 and WP2uvrA(pKM101).No evidence of mutagenicity was seen for TA1535, TA1537 or TA1538using either method of exposure. These data confirm the enhancedability of the pre-incubation method to detect the mutagenicityof formaldehyde both quantitatively, as expressed by numbersof revertant colonies, and qualitatively, in terms of the rangeof indicator strains reverted. The relatively greater sensitivityof the pre-incubation assay is probably due to better containmentof a volatile agent and/or lack of interaction with agar duringthe initial period of exposure. The findings are consistentwith the suggestion that formaldehyde induces lesions in bacteriawhich are, at least to some extent, excision-repairable, andindicate that the presence of the R-factor plasmid may be requiredfor the expression of its mutagenicity in excision repair-deficientSalmonella.     

Use of rat/hamster S-9 mixture in the Ames mutagenicity assay

Based on the findings of Nagao et al [1978] that phenacetin is negative in the standard Ames test with Aroclor induced rat S-9 and positive with hamster S-9, the test was performed with a mixture of rat/hamster S-9. Phenacetin was mutagenic with the mixture. The activity of the mixture was compared to the rat S-9 alone with low concentrations of 2-aminoanthracene (a strong promutagen for Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535, TA 100, TA 1537, and TA 98), nitrosopiperidine (a weak promutagen), and 1,2 epoxybutane (a weak, direct-acting mutagen). Except for an increased mutagenic activation by the mixture with nitrosopiperidine the mixture was comparable to the rat S-9 alone, indicating that replacing rat S-9 with a rat/hamster S9 mixture in the standard Ames test could increase the sensitivity of the test without interfering with rat S-9 activity.     

Mutagenicity of products from coal gasification and liquefaction in the salmonella/microsome assay

As a first step in the assessment of their possible bio-effects, coal-related materials were tested for mutagenicity in the Salmonella/microsome assay. Of three coal gasification by-products tested, only a tar was mutagenic for any of four Salmonella strains. The following liquefaction materials were mutagenic for strains TA1538, TA98, and/or TA100: A liquefaction vehicle oil and coal hydrogenation filtered liquid, separated bottoms, vacuum overhead, and vacuum bottoms. Neither powdered coal nor water produced as a by-product of the hydrogenation process was positive in the Salmonella test. No coal-related material was mutagenic for the missense mutant TA1535 or for any strain in the absence of metabolic activation provided by rat hepatic homogenates (S9). In all but one instance Aroclor 1254-induced S9 provided the maximum activation for mutagenesis. Fractionation of all samples was undertaken by serial extraction with organic solvents of increasing polarity (hexane, toluene, methylene chloride, acetonitrile). Highly mutagenic materials were found in fractions of the hydrogenation filtered liquid, vacuum overhead, and vacuum bottoms. Thus far non-mutagenic samples have not yielded mutagenic components upon fractionation.     

Genotoxic activity in microorganisms of tetryl, 1,3-dinitrobenzene and 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene

N-Methyl-N,2,4,6-tetranitroaniline (tetryl), 1,3-dinitrobenzene, and 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene were subjected to DNA repair assays using the Escherichia coli W3110/polA⁺, p3478/polA^? system, reverse mutation assays with His^? Salmonella typhimurium strains TA1535, TA1537, TA1538, TA98, and TA100, and mitotic recombinogenic tests with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae D5. Tests were carried out in the absence of an exogenous activation system and in tissue homogenate-mediated assays using Aroclor 1254-induced, male rat-liver-derived S9 mix. Mutagenic activity of tetryl was demonstrated with S typhimurium strains TA1537, TA1538, TA98, and TA100. The responses were particularly strong in the absence of S9 mix. Tetryl also induced increases in recombinant numbers and frequencies in the S cerevisiae test without the S9 mix, but not in its presence. 1,3-Dinitrobenzene was demonstrated to be a mutagen with S typhimurium strains TA1538, TA98, and TA100. Slight activity was also seen with TA1537. The S9 mix reduced the magnitude of the responses. 1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene was also demonstrated to be mutagenic with S typhimurium strains TA1535, TA1537, TA1538, TA98, and TA100. Again, the S9 mix reduced the magnitude of the responses. In this segment of a programme initiated by military authorities, the genotoxic potential of three nitroaromatic compounds, which have found significant use in explosive preparations, has been demonstrated. Twelve other compounds used in ordnance were not active in any of the test systems. These were octahydro-1-acetyl-3,5,7-trinitro-S-tetramine (SEX), hexahydro-1,3-dinitro-5-acetyl-S-triamine (TAX), ethyl centralite, 2-nitrodiphenylamine, N-nitrosodiphenylamine, diphenylamine, diethyleneglycoldinitrate, nitroguanidine, lead salicylate, lead resorcylate, red phosphorus, and zinc chloride.     

Detection of mutagenic activity in the urine of rodents treated with p-rosaniline

p-Rosaniline was fed to male and female Fischer 344 rats and B6C3F1 mice at doses of 1,000 and 2,000 ppm for male rats and 500 and 1,000 ppm for female rats and mice of both sexes. Urine was collected overnight at 1-wk intervals over a 4-wk treatment period and frozen until its use in the mutagenicity assay. The neat urine was tested in triplicate without S-9 on Salmonella tester strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537 at 0.75, 0.5, 0.2, and 0.05 ml per plate. When sufficient urine was available, samples were tested on TA100 in the presence of S-9. Either urine samples were pretreated for 18 hr at 37 degrees C with beta-glucuronidase, or the deconjugating enzyme was added to the top agar at the time of plating in the mutagenicity assay (non-pretreatment). Direct-acting mutagenic activity was detected on TA98 in the urine from male mice, but only when using the non-pretreatment deconjugation method. No direct-acting mutagenic activity was detected in the urine of male and female rats and female mice; however, in the presence of S-9, mutagenic activity was observed in the urine of male rats and in the urine of male and female mice regardless of the deconjugation method used. The non-pretreatment method was superior for detecting direct acting mutagenic activity, and the pretreatment method was superior for detecting mutagenic activity requiring metabolic activation by S-9.