Genotoxicity of 2-alkylcyclobutanones, markers for an irradiation treatment in fat-containing food—Part I: cyto- and genotoxic potential of 2-tetradecylcyclobutanone

Abstract

Previous experiments had indicated a slight genotoxic potential both in rat and in human colon cells of a sample of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone, a compound formed by irradiation of food containing palmitic acid in its triglycerides. Up to date, there is no evidence that 2-alkylcyclobutanones occur in non-irradiated foodstuffs, consequently it is prudent to test several members of the class of 2-alkylcyclobutanones which are produced by treatment of fat-containing food with ionising radiation. In this work, 2-tetradecylcyclobutanone (derived from stearic acid) has been tested for its cytotoxic and genotoxic potential. Human colon tumor cell lines, i.e. HT 29 and HT 29 clone 19A, were employed as models for in vitro experiments for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests. Cytotoxicity was measured by tetrazolium salt reduction assays (MTT and WST-1) and genotoxicity by determining DNA damage using the Comet Assay. Neither cytotoxic nor genotoxic effects were induced by 2-TCB in HT 29 or HT 29 cl 19A cells at an incubation time of 30 min at 37°C, not even at the highest concentration (400 μM) tested. After prolonged incubation times (1–2 days) at higher concentrations (>50 μM) cytotoxicity did, however, appear. Studies on other 2-alkylcyclobutanones are in progress.