Comparative antimutagenicity of chlorophyllin and five other agents against aflatoxin B1-induced reversion in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98.

Chlorophyllin was studied for its antimutagenic activity against aflatoxin B1 in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 using the plate-incorporation test in the presence of S9 activation. Comparative antimutagenicity between chlorophyllin and certain commonly studied antimutagens (i.e., vitamins A, C, and E, retinoic acid, and beta-carotene) was also examined. A dose-related inhibition of aflatoxin B1 mutagenicity by chlorophyllin was observed, with the mutagenicity being abolished by 860 nmole chlorophyllin per plate. The inhibitory activity of chlorophyllin occurred only when cells were treated concurrently with chlorophyllin and aflatoxin B1. The antimutagenic potency of chlorophyllin was comparable to that of vitamin A and higher than that of retinoic acid and beta-carotene. Vitamins C and E had no effect on aflatoxin B1 mutagenicity under the conditions used. The results of toxicity tests and a reconstruction experiment showed that inhibition of the mutagenicity of aflatoxin B1 by chlorophyllin and the other active agents was due to antimutagenicity.