Abstract: BACKGROUND ＆ AIM: To study the inhibition of lycopene on the genetic damage induced by mutagens MATERIAL AND METHODS： In accordance with the “Procedures and Methods for Toxicological Assessment on Food Safety”, and the modified micronucleus test and Ames test were used. The numbers of micronuclei and bacteria colonies were scored, then the micronucleus frequencies in polychromatic erythrocytes(fMPCE), relative bacteria colonies and the rates of inhibition were calculated. RESULTS: To compare with the positive control group treated with CP(Cyclophosphamide), the fMPCE in test groups pretreated with lycopene was significantly decreased(P<0.01). The rate of inhibition of lycopene on fMPCE induced by CP was over 59％. Compared with the positive group, the relative bacteria colonies of TA98、TA100 were reduced in Ames test in which the mutagens were pretreated by lycopene, and there was adose-related were responses. But only the relative bacteria colonies of TA98 showed significant rise at 140 μg/dish in Ames test in where the mutagens and lycopene were added at the same time. CONCLUSION: Lycopene could effectively inhibit the genetic damage induced by mutagens, and to some degree it could play an anti-mutation role.

Key words: lycopene;micronucleus, Ames test