A simple plate test for screening colicine-inducing substances as a tool for the detection of potential carcinogens.

A simple and rapid plate test is described for screening substances that induce colicine E2. By using chemicals activated with microsomal enzymes and a permeable (rfa) tester bacterium that is also deficient in DNA repair (uvrB), the range of inducing substances that can be detected has been extended. The possible correlation between colicine-inducing substances and carcinogens is discussed.