Abstract: Purpose and methods : The mutagenicity of 3 - tert - butyl - 4 - hydroxyanisole (BHA) was examined by Ames test , CHL cell chromosome aberration test in vit ro and micronucleus test . Results : The results showed that BHA with doses 25 - 300μg/ plate didn’t increase the number of reversion mutation in any of the 4 st rains with or without S9 mix in Ames test . The f requencies of micronucleus in PCE were not increased at dose level of 171 - 683 mg/ kg. bw in micronucleus test . In CHL cell chromosome aberration test , the result was suspicious positive because the f requency of chromosome aberration was increased to 7. 5 % at the dose level of 40μg/ ml with S9 mix. Therefore , 3 - tert - butyl - 4 - hydroxyanisole may be mutagenic. Conclusion : We should pay attention to it s application as an anti - oxidant in food and oil product s.

Key words: 3 - tert - butyl - 4 - hydroxyanisole, mutagenicity