Antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects of linoleic acid were studied by using
spore rec assay and SOS chromotest, and C3H/10T1/2 cells, respectively. Strong
antimutagenic activities toward N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and
4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) were observed when linoleic acid, one of active
compounds identified from traditional doenjang, was added in the test systems. In spore
rec assay using Bacillus subtilis H17 (rec+) and M45 (rec-), linoleic acid considerably
inhibited the mutagenesis induced by MNNG. In SOS chromotest using Escherichia coli
PQ37, linoleic acid also exhibited strong antimutagenic activity toward 4-NQO. Linoleic
acid decreased the cytotoxicity induced by carcinogen, MNNG in C3H/10T1/2 cells.
Type III foci formation rate from the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) treatment also decreased when
linoleic acid was added to the C3H/10T1/2 cells, suggesting that linoleic acid might
prevent the carcinogenesis mediated by AFB1.

Keywords: Linoleic acid, Antimutagenicity, Anticarcinogenicity, C3H/10T1/2 cells