Factors affecting mutagenic activity of cigarette smoke condensate in Salmonella typhimurium TA 1538.

Smoke condensates from Burley tobacco, bright-type tobacco and various brands of commercial cigarettes were tested for mutagenicity by using a microsomal test system with Salmonella typhimurium TA 1538. Smoke condensate from Burley tobacco had much higher mutagenic activity than that from bright-type tobacco. Increased mutagenic activity was observed with smoke condensates from Burley tobacco grown with increasing amounts of nitrogen fertilizer, and from commercial cigarettes blended with Burley tobacco. There was a significant correlation between nitrate content of cigarette and mutagenic activity of the resulting smoke condensate. The results suggest that nitrate in cigarettes may influence the formation of potential mutagens during the burning of a cigarette.