Mutagenicity of extracts of some vegetables commonly consumed in the Netherlands

An assessment was made of the mutagenic properties of six vegetables commonly consumed in the Netherlands. Extracts were screened in the Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, and TA1537 by using the standard protocol. In addition, extracts of the gut flora (GFE) of rats were used as a metabolizing system. In total 27 cultivars grown under known and identical conditions were tested. Cultivars of lettuce, paprika, and rhubarb were mutagenic in TA98 in the presence of GFE. String beans were mutagenic in TA98 and TA100 with GFE. Rhubarb was also mutagenic in TA1537 when tested with liver homogenate. Spinach and Brussels sprouts were found negative. The mutagenic vegetables showed marked intercultivar variations with respect to their mutagenic properties. Evidence is obtained that querectin glycosides are mainly responsible for the mutagenicity of lettuce and string beans. The mutagenicity of rhubarb in TA1537 is caused by emodin.