It was observed that tobacco types differred in mutagenic activity. The DNA damage is evidentiated with an increase of frequency of sister chromatid exchanges. The research was carried out with tobacco of different types from controlled cultivations. In fact, in the basic fraction proteins and alcaloids are prevalent while in the acid fraction glucides, phenols and diphenols are present.
Research is in progress and a more detailed and collaborative study is needed.
The smoke hazard can actually be reduced and for tobacco quality one must consider the necessity of lowering the mutagenetic potentiality of tar. We have to treat tobacco with respect . Table 1 Smoke Tar mg 1 Treatment. 17.9 4.0 Lower leaves Bright Ar. 2 Various Tobacco cvs Middle Leaves Mutagenic Effects.