LAUSR

Abstract The potential agricultural or horticultural use of ‘smoke technology’ has received considerable attention since plant-derived smoke-water or smoke-derived compounds can play an intriguing role in seed germination and seedling vigor. However, it is of major importance to investigate whether such treatments may play a detrimental role in the genetic health of future generations. Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of smoke-water and isolated compounds have already been tested in the Ames assay with or without mammalian metabolic activation (S9). Yet, it is known that plant metabolism of agricultural stimulants can also produce harmful substances that may be introduced into the human food chain. Therefore, possible toxic and DNA damaging effects of smoke-water and isolated compounds were tested and compared this time with or without Vicia faba and Persea americana metabolic activation (S10) in the Ames assay. Additionally, potential (geno)toxic effects were also evaluated with or without S9 metabolic activation. Results of the presented study showed no mutagenic effect for both smoke-water and smoke-derived compounds at the concentrations tested, in the absence or presence of V. faba and P. americana metabolism. Authors confirmed previous findings that the use of ‘smoke technology’ can, at least according to the results of this genotoxicity evaluation, be regarded as being safe for use in agriculture, horticulture and other related sectors.