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Definition

The Ames Test is a way of determining whether a material causes genetic mutations (changes). Animal liver cell extracts are combined with a special form of salmonella bacteria. The mixture is then exposed to the test substance and examined for signs that the bacteria have mutated (a process called mutagenesis).

Additional Info

The Ames test does not directly indicate the carcinogenic (cancer-causing) potential of the substance, however there is a good correlation between mutagen strength and carcinogen strength in rodent studies; approximately 75% of chemicals that have a positive Ames test are found to be rodent carcinogens. However, not all carcinogens will give a positive Ames test.

Despite these limitations and even though rodent test results do not always extrapolate well to humans, given the relative low cost and low test time (days to weeks) compared to traditional animal studies that involve live subjects, the Ames test is an exceedingly useful screening tool for potential mutagens.

SDS Relevance

If this term appears on a Safety Data Sheet, it will usually be in Section 11 (toxicological information) with respect to carcinogenicity.

Any substance that can mutate the cells of your body is generally a Bad Thing. Avoid the use of mutagens if at all possible. If you must work with them, be sure to utilize the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended on the SDS and use appropriate administrative and engineering controls to protect the other occupants of your workplace.

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Further Reading

• The Salmonella/E. coli Mutagenicity Test or Ames Test at the NTP.
• The Ames Test at Kimball's Biology Pages.
• The search for mutagens from cooked foods from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
• Ames mutagenicity test protocol at Nelson Laboratories.
• Ames Test - Introduction, Principle, Procedure, Uses and Result Interpretation at MicrobiologyInfo.com.
• The test that changed the world: The Ames test and the regulation of chemicals from Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 2019, May;841, 43-48. Requires institutional access (university, company etc.).

See also: carcinogen, mus (mouse), mutagen.

Additional Definitions from Google and Onelook.

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