Abstract
Evaluation of genotoxicity of organic extracts from the Yodo River system was examined with umu test and Ames test both using an O-acetyltransferase-overexpressing strain. Organic extracts in river water were collected by the XAD-2 resin column method and the blue rayon hanging method at 4 locations for one year.
The same level of genotoxic activity was observed among the presence and the absence of S9 mix in umu test using S. typhimurium NM2009. But, higher activities were observed in the presence of S9 mix in Ames test using S. typhimurium YG1024. These results shows that S. typhimurium YG1024 in Ames test is highly sensitive to aromatic amines in water environment. There were a significant correlation between genotoxic activity induced by NM2009 in umu test and one by YG1024 in Ames test in the presence of S9 mix. No significant correlation was found between genotoxicities and water pollution indicators. The present results shows that umu test or Ames test using an O-acetyltransferase-overexpressing strain are simple, sensitive and useful bioassay for monitoring the safety of river water.
