Genetic toxicology studies of SALATRIM structured triacylglycerols. 1. Lack of mutagenicity in the Salmonella/microsome reverse mutation assay

SALATRIM triacylglycerols differ from other fats in their ratio of short-chain fatty acids to long-chain fatty acids and in that the predominant long-chain fatty acid is stearic acid. Caloric availability studies in rats indicate SALATRIM fats yield 4.5-6 kcal/g compared to 9.0 kcal/g to for corn oil. Structure/ activity relationships predict SALATRIM would have no mutagenicity in the Salmonella/microsome reverse mutation assay (Ames assay). To test this hypothesis, the mutagenic potential of six SALATRIM fats, at doses as high a 1000 mu g/plate, was determined using five Salmonella strains with and without metabolic activation. :Concurrent positive control compounds produced the expected positive responses. Corn oil and solvent controls were negative. SALATRIM; fats were without cytotoxic and mutagenic potential in the five tester strains with and without metabolic activation. The hypothesis that SALATRIM triacylglycerols are not mutagenic based upon structure/activity relationships was confirmed.