The effect of solvents upon the yield of revertants in the Salmonella/activation mutagenicity assay

Abstract

The effects of dimethylsulphoxide and acetone have been investigated in the Salmonella/activation mutagenicity assay using 2-aminoanthracene and benzo(a)pyrene as test compounds. Varying mutagenic responses were found with the solvents after treatment of the bacteria with 2-aminoanthracene. This was observed in two laboratories. Differences were not as evident after treatment with benzo(a)pyrene. In addition, different amounts of dimethylsulphoxide were used to dissolve 2-aminoanthracene and varying mutagenic responses were obtained. These observations suggest that the choice and amount of solvent for individual test compounds may be critical in terms of determining a mutagenic respons.