Mutagenicity of 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) and its metabolites in short-term tests in vitro

Mutat Res. 1990 Jun;241(2):125-32. doi: 10.1016/0165-1218(90)90115-i.

Abstract

The mutagenicity of 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) and its metabolites was investigated in the reverse mutation assay using S. typhimurium strains and the chromosomal aberration test in vitro using a Chinese hamster fibroblast cell line, CHL. BHA, tert-butylhydroquinone (BHQ), tert-butylquinone (BQ) and BHA dimer (diBHA) did not show any mutagenic potential with and without S9 mix in the reverse mutation assay. In addition to the above 4 chemicals, 3-tert-butyl-4,5-dihydroxyanisole (BHA-OH), 3-tert-butylanisole-4,5-quinone (BHA-o-Q), and tert-butylquinone oxide (BQO) were tested in the chromosomal aberration test. BHA, BHQ and BQ induced chromosomal aberrations only in the presence of S9 mix, while BHA-OH, BHA-o-Q and BQO induced chromosomal aberrations only without S9 mix. DiBHA, however, showed no clastogenic potential with and without S9 mix. The present findings suggest that BHA-OH, BHA-o-Q or BQO may contribute to the clastogenicity of BHA in the presence of S9 mix.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / toxicity*
  • Butylated Hydroxyanisole / toxicity*
  • Chromosome Aberrations
  • Cricetinae
  • Hydroquinones / toxicity*
  • Mutagenicity Tests
  • Mutagens*
  • Rats

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Hydroquinones
  • Mutagens
  • Butylated Hydroxyanisole
  • 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole
  • 2-tert-butylhydroquinone