CYTOTOXICITY AND GENOTOXICITY OF WOOD DRYING CONDENSATE FROM SOUTHERNYELLOW PINE - AN IN-VITRO STUDY

We tested condensates from Southern Yellow Pine for potential cytotoxi city and genotoxicity in CHO-WBL and human peripheral blood lymphocyte s (PBL) in the absence of S-9 activation. Cytotoxicity was evaluated b y the Trypan blue exclusion assay, mitotic index (MI) and proliferativ e rate index (PRI). Genotoxicity was measured by the chromosome aberra tion (CA) assay and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) analysis. Both cyt otoxic and genotoxic effects were observed. Laboratory-generated South ern Yellow Pine condensate reduced the viability of CHO-WBL cells. The number of viable cells was roughly inversely proportional to dosage o ver a range of 100% to 31% in treated groups, in both experiments, as compared to 2.6 x 10(5) (100%) in the control. The MI data in both CHO cells and PBL also showed an inverse correlation. The highest scorabl e dose limited by toxicity was determined to be 1 mi of Southern Yello w Pine condensate in 10 mi total of medium. Lastly, a dose response cu rve was observed in CHO cells, as well as in PBL, using the CA assay a nd also with the SCE analysis. The present findings corroborate the re sults from Ames testing and represent the only information currently a vailable on the genotoxic potential of these chemicals.