[Antibacterial and genotoxic properties of 33 mycotoxins]

Most of the 33 fungal metabolites tested provoke: Bacterial growth inhibition of Bacillus thuringiensis similar to lethal effect of antibiotics. Positive response in the 'Rec' assay using strains of Bacillus subtilis; this fact shows that these toxins are DNA modifying agents. Enlargement of cell volume in the first bacteria species; this cell-abnormality induction resembles those obtained with mitomycin C. Correlation between elongation of cells (filamentation) and in vivo carcinogenicity of mycotoxins is discussed. The filamentation should be an expression of a perturbated DNA replication (S.O.S.-error prone repair) as the consequence of DNA damages induced by genotoxic agents (i.e. carcinogens).