title: Methodology for the testing of food dyes for genotoxic activity: experiments with red 2G (C.I. 18050).
abstract: A methodology for investigating genotoxicity of food colours using the fluctuation and DNA-repair assays with bacteria is described. In addition, a liquid repair test, developed to permit incorporation of microsomes and the quantitative estimation of cell viability, has been characterised with a number of positive control agents. Results obtained in these systems suggest that the food colour Red 2G induces repairable DNA damage and base-substitution mutation, but only in the presence of a rat-liver microsomal preparation. The significance of the data in the light of other toxicological information is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000548:Amaranth Dye / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D005505:Food Coloring Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D009153:Mutagens; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D005505:Food Coloring Agents; D009153:Mutagens; D000548:Amaranth Dye