Formation of mutagens by sorbic acid-nitrite reaction: effects of reaction conditions on biological activities.

Conditions of the reaction between sorbic acid and sodium nitrite generating mutagenic principles were examined. In the rec-assay and the Ames reversion assay, the maximal mutagenic activity was obtained in a pH range of 3.5-4.2. Mutagenic and growth-inhibitor activities of five C-nitro and C-nitroso compounds were studied. The product Y, 2-methyl-1,4-dinitropyrrole, was the strongest mutagen among them.