A simple method for the detection of mutagens in urine: studies with the carcinogen 2-acetylaminofluorene.

We described previously a simple test on petri plates for detecting many carcinogens as mutagens using an especially sensitive set of bacterial strains to detect mutagens and a rat, or human, liver homogenate for carcinogen activation. We now extend the utility of the method for the detection of mutagenic metabolites in urine. The addition of commercial beta-glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31) to the petri plates along with the urine, liver homogenate, and bacteria allows detection of metabolites that are excreted in urine as beta-glucuronide conjugates. By this method mutagenic activity is readily demonstrated with urine of rats that were administered as little as 200 mug (1.6 mg/kg) of the carcinogen, 2-acetylaminofluorene. In this case the major urinary metabolite that we detect appears to be a glucuronide conjugate. We propose that the method be used for the screening of human urines in order to detect mutagenic metabolites of drugs and of dietary components. It may also be useful for testing of urinary metabolites of drugs and food additives in experimental animals.