The antimutagenic effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was investigated by using the Drosophila wing spot test. In this assay, 3-day-old transheterozygous larvae for the multiple wing hair (mwh, 3-0.3) and flare (flr, 3-38.8) genes were treated with 3 direct acting mutagens: ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and N-nitroso N-ethylurea (ENU). The results obtained from 3 reference mutagens were clearly genotoxic in the Drosophila wing somatic mutation and recombination test. The calculated concentration of ascorbic acid as recommended dietary allowance (RDA) did not induce the frequency of the mutant clones recorded. When co-treatment experiments with ascorbic acid were carried out, ascorbic acid was effective in reducing the genotoxicity of the 3 direct acting mutagens.

The antimutagenic effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) was investigated by using the Drosophila wing spot test. In this assay, 3-day-old transheterozygous larvae for the multiple wing hair (mwh, 3-0.3) and flare (flr, 3-38.8) genes were treated with 3 direct acting mutagens: ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and N-nitroso N-ethylurea (ENU). The results obtained from 3 reference mutagens were clearly genotoxic in the Drosophila wing somatic mutation and recombination test. The calculated concentration of ascorbic acid as recommended dietary allowance (RDA) did not induce the frequency of the mutant clones recorded. When co-treatment experiments with ascorbic acid were carried out, ascorbic acid was effective in reducing the genotoxicity of the 3 direct acting mutagens.