Detoxication products of the carcinogenic azodye Sudan I (solvent yellow 14) bind to nucleic acids after activation by peroxidase.

The C-hydroxyderivatives of the carcinogenic dye Sudan I, 1-phenylazo-2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene and 1-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)-2-hydroxynaphthalene, which are considered to be detoxication products of this dye bind to DNA or tRNA after oxidation into active metabolites by peroxidase and H2O2 in vitro. The 32P-postlabeling analysis of DNA modified by active metabolites of both Sudan I derivatives provides evidence that the covalent binding to DNA is the principal type of DNA modification. Since the urinary bladder is rich in peroxidases, the participation of these enzymes in activation of detoxicating products of Sudan I may be involved in the initiation of Sudan I-carcinogenesis in this organ.