Mutagenicity screening of foods I. Results with beverages

Abstract

Following a number of recent reports on the presence of mutagens in certain foods, a general survey of the mutagenic potential of a wide variety of food products has been initiated. Here, results for samples of 28 widely consumed beverages from 13 general categories are reported. Each sample was concentrated and fractionated by polarity and solubility to give up to seven fractions, each of which was assayed for mutagenic potential with Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 +/- fortified liver homogenate. Fractions showing evidence of either mutagenicity or toxicity were retested at the same and lower concentrations. The utility of the fractionation procedure and the sensitivity of the screening strategy were established by assaying six beverages spiked with known mutagens prior to fractionation. Statistical analysis of the data resulted in positive findings for seven beverages, although confirmation of these results through analysis of a second sample was obtained only for red wine, grape juice, and instant coffee. The remaining 21 beverages showed no strong evidence of mutagenic activity. For those foods for which the variation among replicate plates was largest, the false-positive rate for the two-stage screening procedure employed was estimated to be less than 1% while the false-negative rate for a beverage inducing a threefold increase in the background mutation rate was conservatively estimated to be limited to 14%.

<i>In vitro</i> evaluation of mutagenicity and genotoxicity of sitagliptin alone and in combination with artificial sweeteners

“…They recommended that the genotoxic impact of the saccharin may be because of the salts particles. On the other hand the positive mutagenic results of saccharin might be due to the impurities of the saccharin which showed greater mutagenic effects on TA98 than TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium [16].…”

Characterization of mutagenic activity in instant hot beverage powders

“…Mutagenic activity in bacterial tests has been reported in several kinds of beverages. Stoltz et al [1982] investigated 28 different beverage products and found mutagenic activity in grape juice, red wine, and instant coffee. The mutagenic activity in grape juice and red wine was due to the presence of flavones, e.g., quercetin and kaempferol.…”

“…This was also shown by Mazaki et al [1982], who found flavones in mutagenic hydrolysates from citrus fruit juices. Stoltz et al [1982] found a chocolate drink to have some mutagenic potential, while tea was not mutagenic. The mutagenic activity in coffee has been the subject of many studies, and the results are somewhat contradictory.…”

“…The mutagenic activity in coffee has been the subject of many studies, and the results are somewhat contradictory. Most investigators reported measurable mutagenic activity in Salmonella strain TAlOO without metabolic activation due to the presence of methylglyoxal [Kasai et al, 1982;Stoltz et al, 1982;Blair and Shibamoto, 1984;Fujita et al, 1985;Nagao et al, 1986;Shane et al, 19881. Mutagenic activity in Salmonella strain TA98 with metabolic activation has been reported in two studies Kikugawa et al, 19891. Coffee consumption and its effect on the causation of cancer at different sites in the body has been the subject of many studies, most showing a weak or non-significant association [IARC, 19901. To further explore the mutagens produced in heated grainfood products, we investigated the mutagenic activity in instant hot beverage powders: six grain-based coffee-substitute blends, two instant coffees, and two cocoa products.…”

The Application of Mutagenicity Tests to the Determination of Water Quality

“…4) Stolz et a1. 15 have found that x 3 concentrates derived from such popular beverages as red wine, grape juice and coffee are mutagenic to Salmonella. These mutagens are thus several times more potent than water contrates, and reflect the view that diet per se is probably much more significant as a contributor to life style and cancer burden than drinking water.…”