[Present and future of carcinogenic tryptophan pyrolysis products in the environment]

Food has been considered an important factor for the genesis of cancer in man, as important as cigarette smoking. Diet influences the incidence of human cancer in many ways, directly and indirectly. Various kinds of carcinogens such as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, N-nitro compounds and mycotoxins have been reported to be present in various foods. During the last decade, a new series of heterocyclic amines has been isolated as potent mutagens and later shown to be potent carcinogens in animals. Among them, carcinogenic tryptophan pyrolysates have been investigated from various points of view and useful pieces of information about them have been collected. Now, it is a matter of urgency to evaluate the effects of these carcinogens on humans. From this aspect, this review describes the information about carcinogenic tryptophan pyrolysates which has been collected and also future problems, especially those the hygienist will have to solve.