The influence of procarbazine (MIH) on the induction of prophage lambda in Escherichia coli K12 and toxic effects on Salmonella typhimurium.

Natulan R (MIH, procarbazine) was tested for its ability to induce prophage lambda in Escherichia coli GY5027. E. coli Gy4015 served as indicator strain. A weak phage-inducing effect was observed at concentrations from 2 to 12 mg/plate in presence of S9 prepared from rats. This effect was found not to be due to the formation of hydrogen peroxide. It was confirmed that, even at the same high concentrations, no mutagenic effect can be detected with the Ames test in strains TA98 and TA100 of S. typhimurium. However, a toxic effect was observed in presence of S9 in S. typhimurium.