The antimutagenic acitivities of cell body of several lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated
from kimchi were studied using the methods of Ames mutagenicity test and SOS
chromotest. The mutagenicities mediated by 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO),
2-amino-3,4-dimethyl-imidazo (4,5-f) quinoline (MeIQ), and 3-amino-1-methyl-
5H-pyrido[4,3-b] indole (Trp-P2) were effectively supressed by LAB in both tests.
However, the mutagenicity of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was not
markedly inhibited by LAB preparation. Cell body of Leuconostoc mesenteroides
exhibited higher antimuatagenic activity on 4-NQO, MeIQ, MNNG than LABs from other
lactic acid bacteria. Pediococcus acidilactici was not effective on direct mutagens
(4-NQO, MNNG), but the antimatagenic effect on MeIQ and Trp-P2 were similar to
those of other LAB preparations. In this study, LAB from kimchi (Leuconostoc
mesenteroides, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum,
Pediococcos acidilactici) revealed high capability of prevention of the mutation induced
by 4-NQO, MeIQ and Trp-P2 as much as (or higher than) Lactobacillus acidophillus
from yogurt, regardless of their viability. These results suggested that lactic acid bacteria
in kimchi might have the cancer preventive function.

Keywords: Lactic acid bacteria, Kimchi, Antimutagenicity, 4-NQO, MNNG, MeIQ,
Trp-P2