Mutagenic effects of two suspected anticarcinogenic organoselenium compounds in Salmonella typhimurium

Two organoselenium compounds, a dimer of p‐methoxybenzeneselenol (DPMBS) and benzylselenocyanate (BSC), were studied for their mutagenic properties. The two compounds which are of suggested anticarcinogenic activities were found to be mutagenic in TA100 strain, but not in TA97a. These results indicate that the two compounds are base pair substitution mutagens. However, it appeared that DPMBS is a stronger mutagen than BSC. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the biological effects of these two compounds if their use for any practical purpose is under discussion. The mutagenicity, antimutagenicity and anticarcinogenicity of inorganic and organic selenium compounds are discussed.

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