[Mutagenic activity of organic esters are likely to form from bromo-2 ethanol generated during fumigation using ethylene oxide].

The mutagenic potencies of 13 bromoethyl esters of natural organic acids, have been studied, by Ames's test (strains TA 98 and TA 100, with and without system of metabolisation, S9 mix). None of the 8 bromoethyl esters of linoleic, oleic, palmitic, stearic, lauric, myristic, cinnamic and fumaric acids is genotoxic. On the other hand the 5 others derived from gallic, oxalic, tartric acids (strain TA 100 with and without S9 mix), malic and citric acids (strain TA 100 with S9 mix) are mutagenic, the ester of gallic acid giving still a doubtful mutagenic response; their mutagenic potencies are 2 to 3 times smaller than that of bromo-2 ethanol. This observation, complemently with the mutagenicity of some organic esters of the chloro-2 ethanol, proves the potential danger of ethylene oxide used for the fumigation of foods or vegetables and medicinal plants containing much chloride and/or bromide.