MUTAGENIC ACTIVITY OF ACROLEIN IN SALMONELLA-TYPHIMURIUM AND ESCHERICHIA-COLI

Acrolein was tested for mutagenic activity in seven strains of Salmone lla typhimurium and one strain of Escherichia coli using a preincubati on assay procedure. Cytotoxicity was evident at dosing levels above 33 and 67 mu g acrolein per plate in the absence and presence of S-9 act ivation, respectively. Evidence of mutagenic activity was seen at non- toxic dosing levels in S. typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 and E. co li strain WP2 uvrA. Responses in TA98 and E. coli were marginal at bes t, but a firm positive mutagenic activity was noted in TA100 at 20 mu g per plate without S-9 activation and at 67 mu g per plate with S-9 a ctivation. The results of this study demonstrate the mutagenicity of a crolein under highly controlled conditions.