Yonsei Med J.  1988 Jun;29(2):117-123. 10.3349/ymj.1988.29.2.117.

Mutagenic and Anti-Mutagenic Properties of Meju and Other Korean Food Products from Fermented Soybeans

• Rapp NS
• Seong YC
• Shin H
• Hong LS
• Jang JY
• Seel DJ

• KMID: 1119199
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.1988.29.2.117

Abstract

ln order to investigate the mutagenic activity of Meju, an important component of the Korean diet, both chemical techniques and the Ames test were used. To determine if antimutagenic activity is present in Meju and other soybean based foods, the Ames Test was done in the presence of aflatoxin B1, benzo(a)pyrene, and other mutagens. Although aflatoxin contamination was found in 6 of 43 samples of Meju tested, the amounts were less than 1 ppb in all but one. Meju had a protective effect against mutations produced by both aflatoxins and benzo(a)pyrene, both of which act via an epoxide, but not against other mutagens tested.

Keyword

Antimutagenic activity; meju; aflatoxin B1; benzo(a)pyrene; ames test

MeSH Terms

Aflatoxins/analysis/*toxicity
Fermentation
Food Contamination/*analysis
In Vitro
Korea
Mutagenicity Tests
*Mutation
Plant Extracts/toxicity
Soybeans/*toxicity
Support, Non-U.S. Gov't