The influence of sediment extract fractionation methods on bioassay results

Abstract

Four bioassays [MicrotoxTM, MutatoxTM, sister chromatid exchange (SCE), and metabolic cooperation] were used to analyze marine sediment extracts fractionated by two different methods: silica gel column chromatography and acid–base fractionation. Results indicated that a sediment extract fractionated with different methods can lead to different conclusions about the same sediment. This research also further evaluated the new, mutagenic, bacterial bioassay Mutatox. Mutatox generally correlated with SCE and the Salmonella typhimurium assays. This rapid, operationally simple bioassay has potential as a screening bioassay to detect genotoxic agents. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc..