Salmonella/Mammalian-Microsome Test to Detect Chemical Mutagens

Abstract

With few exceptions, chemical mutagens are carcinogens. A number of short-term microbial pre-screening procedures for detection of potential chemical mutagens are now available. One of these, the Salmonella/mammalian-microsome assay (Ames test), has proven to be highly reliable in predicting what chemicals are potential carcinogens. The test is designed primarily to identify which chemicals are mutagens, so that priorities can be established for further testing in long-term animal carcinogenicity studies. This report describes what the Salmonella test is, and how the test has been used as a tool to detect mutagens in our food and drinking water. The usefulness of the test in detecting mutagenic metabolites in human feces and urine is also discussed briefly.