Patent ID: 7923204

Claim:
A method for evaluating the genotoxic activity of a test compound comprising the steps of: a) providing microbial indicator cells that are 5-fluorouridine resistant (5-FUR R ) at a desired cell density; b) preparing a test compound for evaluation which may optionally include exposing the test compound to a metabolic activation system; c) preparing a test sample comprising the test compound of b) and the microbial indicator cells; d) incubating the test sample under conditions that promote the growth of the indicator strain; e) evaluating the toxicity of the test compound; f) incubating the test sample overnight under conditions that promote the growth of the indicator strain and expression of FU R phenotypes; g) exposing the test sample to a selective concentration of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU); and h) determining the presence and number of 5-FU-resistant mutant indicator cells present in the test sample wherein the presence of 5-FU-resistant indicator cells indicates that the test compound has genotoxic activity.