Mutagenic Activity and Heterocyclic Amine Carcinogens in Commercial Pet Foods

DATE: 2003

---

CITATION:

Knize MG, et al. Mutat Res. 2003 Aug 5;539(1-2):195-201.

LINK:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12948828

ABSTRACT:

Twenty-five commercial pet foods were analyzed for mutagenic activity using the Ames/Salmonella test with strain TA98 and added metabolic activation. All but one gave a positive mutagenic response. Fourteen of these samples were analyzed for heterocyclic amine mutagens/carcinogens and all but one contained 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and 10 of 14 contained 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) as analyzed by HPLC and confirmed by photodiode array peak matching. From these findings it is hypothesized that there is a connection between dietary heterocyclic amines and cancer in animals consuming these foods.