Effects of synthetic antioxidants (BHA, BHT and PG) on the mutagenicity of IQ-like compounds

This study investigated the effects of the phenolic antioxidants (BHA, BHT and PG) on the mutagenicity of IQ, MeIQ and MeIQx by the Ames test. Results demonstrated that MeIQ, IQ and MeIQx were all mutagenic when tested with the Ames test with their potency being in the order listed above. This was true on testing with both TA98 and TA100, both of which required added S-9 for activation. It was clearly demonstrated that BHA and PG significantly inhibited the mutagenicity of IQ, MeIQ and MeIQx. On the other hand, BHT had little effect on the mutagenicity of IQ and MeIQ at low concentrations, but significantly increased their mutagenicity at high concentrations. BHT slightly inhibited the mutagenicity of MeIQx at all concentrations tested.