Mutagenicity of Benlate in methG1 system in Aspergillus (=Emericella) nidulans

Abstract

Mitotic segregants for genetic analysis in Aspergillus nidulans depend on the utilization of haploidizing agents such as p-fluorophenylalanine, Benlate and UV UV light is rarely used because of its known mutagenic potential. However, Benlate, a fungicidal drug, has been largely used without evaluation of mutagenicity in eukaryotes. This research shows that Benlate is mutagenic in A. nidulans methG1 strains (biA1 methG1, PAT1). Assays were made by treating quiescent conidia with 0.5 μg/ml Benlate, a commercial product containing 50% Benomyl. Results indicate that Benlate is less safe than 5 s of UV irradiation (26.5 J/m²/s). Consequently the use of this drug for mapping purposes is not recommended.