Ames Mutagenicity Test of the RDX Replacement, Triaminoguanidinium-1- methyl-5-nitriminotetrazolate (TAG-MNT)

摘要

The Army EQT Ordnance Environmental Program (OEP) is dedicated to finding replacements for substances causing environmental and/or occupational risks to health. The Army has developed new experimental explosives to be less toxic than RDX yet with similar power and sensitivity. The purpose of this Toxicology Study was to examine the mutagenic potential of TAG-MNT using a novel high throughput Xenometrix MPF(Trademark) Ames assay introduced at the USAPHC (Prov) Directorate of Toxicology. TAG-MNT was weakly positive as a mutagen both with and without S9 metabolism only at the highest, limit dose of 2 g/L. TAG-MNT was cytotoxic to S. typhimurium at concentrations at and above 250 mg/L. As TAG-MNT is only weakly mutagenic in the Ames assay, concern about possible carcinogenicity needs to await further genotoxic evaluation. The cytotoxicity of TAG-MNT may be a concern more releveant to its in vivo toxicology. Development of this replacement energetic should continue.