Mutagenicity of benzene metabolites by fluctuation test.

Mutagenicity of five benzene metabolites was examined by a fluctuation test modified by Gatehouse. The test was performed by using Salmonella typhimurium TA100 with or without a metabolic activation system. Catechol showed mutagenic activity with and without a metabolic activation system in the fluctuation test. Hydroxyhydroquinone, phenol, hydroquinone and p-benzoquinone were positive only with a metabolic activation system in this test. The Ames' plate method and preincubation method are widely used as a screening test for the mutagenic compounds. However, the fluctuation test is very useful in detecting mutagenic activity of chemicals which are negative in the Ames test though being a mutagen or carcinogen.