title: Mutagenic activity of amino acid pyrolyzates in Salmonella typhimurium TA 98.
abstract: Pyrolyzates of 25 amino acids and 5 indole derivatives were tested for mutagenicity in the histidine-requiring mutant Salmonella typhimurium TA 98. Significant mutagenic activity was detected with pyrolyzates of most of the amino acids. These pyrolyzates required a liver microsomal fraction, as representative of mammalian metabolism, to be detected as mutagens. Among the pyrolyzates tested, the highest mutagenic activity was observed with that of L-tryptophan. As little as 10 microgram of the pyrolyzate of L-tryptophan had detectable mutagenic activity toward TA 98. The optimal pyrolysis temperatures for the formation of mutagenic products were shown to be 500 degrees C for L-tryptophan and 600 degrees C for the other amino acids. The results from pyrolyses of some indole derivatives suggest that an amino group at the alpha-position to the carboxyl group of L-tryptophan plays an important role in the formation of mutagens.
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D006358:Hot Temperature; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D008862:Microsomes, Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D009153:Mutagens; D009154:Mutation; D051381:Rats; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects*; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D007211:Indoles; D009153:Mutagens; D014364:Tryptophan