Partial chemical/structural elucidation of anti-mutagenic compounds from corn

Toxicology. 2001 Sep 25;166(3):161-70. doi: 10.1016/s0300-483x(01)00466-8.

Abstract

In this study, corn fractions obtained from an isolation process of anti-mutagenic factors in our previous research work (Burgos-Hernández et al., 2001), were subjected to several analyses for chemical/structural elucidation. The anti-mutagenic activity of these fractions was tested against aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) and 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), a mutagen that does not require bioactivation. Two concentrations of this agent in the corn fractions were tested for anti-mutagenicity in the Salmonella/microsomal mutagenicity assay, using tester strain TA100 with no metabolic activation. Corn fractions tested showed evidence of anti-mutagenic activity by producing a dose-response type of relationship between a constant amount of MNNG and several concentrations of tested corn fraction. Five different varieties of yellow corn were tested in order to determine if the anti-mutagenic factors were intrinsic to corn. Variety of the corn did not show an effect on the reduction of the mutagenic potential of AFB(1) suggesting that anti-mutagenic compounds are intrinsic to corn. Four corn fractions, previously obtained after the isolation process were analyzed by MALDI-MS and GC-MS. MALDI-MS showed the presence of two groups of molecules or molecular fragments. The molecular mass of one group ranged from 250 to 370 m/z, the other ranged from 540 to 640 m/z. GC-MS identified linoleic acid as one of the compounds responsible for the anti-mutagenic activity present in corn.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aflatoxin B1 / toxicity
  • Antimutagenic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antimutagenic Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antimutagenic Agents / toxicity
  • Chemical Fractionation / methods
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Methylnitronitrosoguanidine / toxicity
  • Mutagenicity Tests
  • Mutagens / toxicity
  • Salmonella typhimurium / drug effects
  • Salmonella typhimurium / genetics
  • Species Specificity
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Zea mays / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antimutagenic Agents
  • Mutagens
  • Methylnitronitrosoguanidine
  • Aflatoxin B1