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The mutagenic effects of organophosphorus pesticides on micro-organisms

Archiv für Toxikologie volume 30, pages 67–74 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

Nine organophosphorus pesticides and twelve known chemical mutagens were applied to agar plate cultures ofEscherichia coli WP 2. After incubation, the cultures were examined for an increase in reverse mutation rate.

Dicrotophos and dichlorvos, and four alkylating agents were tested against two mutant strains of Serratia marcescens using the paper disc technique.

The organophosphorus pesticides did not increase the reversion rate inEscherichia coli WP 2. Dicrotophos was also negative when tested against Serratia marcescens. Dichlorvos induced a dose-related increase in reversion rate in both strains of Serratia marcescens.

The significance of the results are discussed in relation to the rapid metabolism of dichlorvosin vivo and the absence of any mutagenic effect in mammalian test systems.

Zusammenfassung

Neun Organophosphorsäurepestizide und zwölf chemische Mutagene wurden an Escherichia coli WP 2-Agarkulturen auf mutagene Wirkung im Sinne einer Steigerung der Rückmutationsrate getestet. Außerdem wurden Bidrin, Dichlorvos und 4 alkylierende Substanzen an 2 geeigneten Stämmen der Serratia marcescens mit Hilfe der Paper-disc-Methode geprüft. Die Organophosphorsäurepestizide erhöhten nicht die Rückmutationsrate bei E. coli WP 2. Bidrin war auch nicht mutagen im Test mit Serratia marcescens. Dichlorvos erhöhte die Rückmutationsrate dosisabhängig an beiden Stämmen von Serratia marcescens. Die fehlende mutagene Wirkung von Dichlorvos am Säugetier wird unter Berücksichtigung der schnellen Metabolisierung diskutiert.

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  1. Tunstall Laboratory, Shell Research Ltd., Sittingbourne, Kent, England

    B. J. Dean

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Dean, B.J. The mutagenic effects of organophosphorus pesticides on micro-organisms. Arch. Toxikol. 30, 67–74 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00605275

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00605275

Key words

  • Mutagenic Effect
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Pesticides
  • Dichlorvos

Schlüsselwörter

  • Mutagene Wirkung
  • Organophosphate
  • Pestizide
  • Dichlorvos