2-Amino-3,4-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline is a mutagenic heterocyclic amine that has been found in cooked foods.1,2,3 It is mutagenic to S. typhimurium in the Ames test.3 Dietary administration of 2-amino-3,4-dimethyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (0.03%) induces tumor formation in the Zymbal gland, oral cavity, and colon in male and female rats, the skin of male rats, and the mammary gland in female rats.1
1.Kato, T., Migita, H., Ohgaki, H., et al.Induction of tumors in the Zymbal gland, oral cavity, colon, skin and mammary gland of F344 rats by a mutagenic compound, 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinolineCarcinogenesis19(3)601-603(1989) 2.Johansson, M.A., and JÄgerstad, M.Occurrence of mutagenic/carcinogenic heterocyclic amines in meat and fish products, including pan residues, prepared under domestic conditionsCarcinogenesis15(8)1511-1518(1994) 3.Nagao, M., Sato, S., and Sugimura, T.Mutagens produced by heating foodsThe Maillard reaction in foods and nutrition521-536(1983)