Abstract
(-) Luteoskyrin and (+) rugulosin, anthraquinoid pigments produced by Penicillium islandicum, P. rugulosum and other species are hepatotoxic and carcinogenic in mice and rats. The activity of these mycotoxins was investigated in a respiratory-deficient mutation system of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The yeast cells were treated with several concentration of mycotoxins and the colonies produced after treatment were tested for their ability to reduce 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride to its red formazan or to reduce a staining by trypanblue. Yeast cells in exponential phase of growth were more sensitive to the cytotoxic and mutagenic effects of rugulosin than cells in stationary phase of growth. Luteoskyrin in concentration from 10-4M to 10-5M and rugulosin in concentration from 10-3M to 10-4M induced a high frequency of mutation and the exposure of mycotoxins to ultraviolet or magnesium ion reduced their ability for mutagenicity.
