Evaluations of the possible mutagenic and genotoxic effects of 2-ACBs

Abstract

This study investigates the potential mutagenic and genotoxic effects of 2-alkylcyclobutanones (2-ACBs), by-products formed in irradiated foods. These compounds are generated during the irradiation of fat-containing foods and have been reported to possess potential genotoxic properties. The research focused on 2-dodecylcyclobutanone (2-dDCB) and 2-tetradecylcyclobutanone (2-tDCB), evaluating their mutagenicity using the micronucleus assay in hepatic cell lines (HepG2, BRL3A, and HTC) and their genotoxicity using the Ames test with five bacterial strains (TA-98, TA-100, TA-1535, TA-1537, and WP2uvrA). The Ames test results indicated that 2-dDCB and 2-tDCB did not significantly increase mutagenic reversion rates, while the micronucleus assays showed no evidence of genotoxic damage in the tested cell lines. It is concluded that, at the concentrations evaluated, 2-dDCB and 2-tDCB do not exhibit mutagenic or genotoxic potential, supporting the safety of irradiated foods. However, further studies are recommended to assess long-term effects and different irradiation conditions.