Genotoxic activity of some mycotoxins using the SOS chromotest.

The genotoxic activity of 11 mycotoxins was investigated in Escherichia coli K 12. The induction of the SOS function sfi A whose level of expression is monitored by means of a sfi A::lac Z operon fusion was assayed by measuring the beta-galactosidase activity in the PQ 37 strain. Most of these fungal metabolites did not induce SOS response in this bacterial test. Only aflatoxicol, a reduced metabolite of aflatoxin B1 was well detected as an SOS inducer if metabolic activation was performed. Patulin, penicillic acid and viomellein are only weak inducing agents. The other fungal compounds tested failed to demonstrate a positive SOS inducing activity. Relationship between SOS chromotest, mutagenicity to Salmonella typhimurium and in vivo carcinogenicity was discussed.