Characterization of Mutagenicity Test and Identification of N-Nitroso Mutagens in Some Soju Alcoholic Spirits

Although chronic exposure to alcohol or its contaminants is the main carcinogenic risk factor in the high prevalence of hepatic cancers, information on the mutagenicity of Soju alcoholic spirits is limited. Presently, the mutagenicity of Soju was tested using the Ames test. Evaporation residues of 11 common brands of Soju were examined and four of the 11 brands displayed a mutagenic response in the TA98-based Ames test without S9 liver extract. Moreover, among these positive samples, two had mutagenic activity in both TA98- and TA100-based Ames tests with S9 liver extract. Some samples of Ames test-positivity also contained N-nitrosodimethylamine or N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene, implicating potential etiologic factors for the Ames test.