GENOTOXIC PROPERTIES OF 2-DODECYLCYCLOBUTANONE, A COMPOUND FORMED ON IRRADIATION OF FOOD CONTAINING FAT

When food containing fat is treated by ionizing radiation, a group of 2-alkylcyclobutanones is formed. These components contain the same num ber of carbon atoms as their precursor fatty acids and the alkyl group is located in ring position 2. Thus, from palmitic acid 2-dodecylcycl obutanone is derived. To date, there is no evidence that the cyclobuta nones occur in unirradiated food. Therefore, these components cannot b e considered inherent to food, and for questions pertaining to risk as sessment of irradiated food it would be advisable to determine the gen otoxic and toxic potentials of cyclobutanones. Measurements of DNA dam age in cells exposed to 2-dodecylcyclobutanone, employing the single c ell microgel electrophoresis technique, have been carried out. In vitr o experiments using rat and human colon cells indicate that 2-dodecylc yclobutanone in the concentration range of about 0.30 - 1.25 mg/ml ind uces DNA strand breaks in the cells. Simultaneously, a concentration r elated cytotoxic effect is observed as was determined by trypan blue e xclusion. To which extent these in vitro findings are of relevancy for the in vivo human exposure situation needs to be investigated in furt her studies. In vivo tests in rats are in progress.