[N-nitroso-compounds of pickles in the areas with high incidence of digestive cancers and their mutagenic effects].

Contents of N-nitroso-compounds and their precursors in pickles preserved by local residents living in the areas with high incidence of digestive cancers in Jiangsu Province, and micronucleus test in animals taking-in pickles were determined. Results showed nitrite was detected in pickles ranging 0.010 to 0.450g/kg, with 37.5% of them exceeding the national hygienic criterium of 0.030 g/kg set for meat products, and N-nitroso-compounds were detected in 95% of the samples ranging 0.02 to 110.50 micrograms/kg. N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in pickles averaged 31.98 and 34.02 micrograms/kg, respectively. Micronucleus frequencies in bone marrow of mice induced by NDMA and NDEA in pickles were 6.92/1000 and 6.17/1000, respectively, with a significant difference as compared with control animals (F = 34.43, P < 0.01), indicating apparently mutagenic effects.