Genotoxic investigations of tobacco protein using microbial and mammalian test systems.

Tobacco protein was assayed for mutagenicity using the Ames test and three in vivo tests. In the Salmonella strains TA 98 and TA 100 methanolic extracts of the tobacco protein and urine of rats fed tobacco protein exhibited increased revertant numbers, but extracts of feces did not. Using the micronucleus test throughout, weak mutagenic effects after feeding the tobacco protein were detected in Chinese hamsters and two inbred strains of mice, and again in Chinese hamsters when the chromosome aberration test and the SCE test were applied. The analytical specifications of the tobacco protein listed nicotine, chlorogenic acid and rutin as components. These were examined separately in a chromosome aberration test, and nicotine was discovered to be the factor or a factor responsible for the weak positive test results.