The genotoxicity of 10 essential oil constituents was evaluated using the Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen) somatic mutation and recombination test, also known as the wing spot test, in the frame of a screening project aiming at evaluating the mutagenic activity of widely used substances, natural or not. Of the compounds that we tested here, L-carveol, dihydrocarveol, (+)-dihydrocarvone, (À)-fenchone and (À)-carvyl acetate did not exhibit any mutagenic or recombinogenic activity, whereas (AE)-linalool, S-(+)-carvone and S-(À)-limonene gave inconclusive results. In contrast, a-phellandrene and R-(À)-carvone significantly increased the frequency of mutant spots when compared with the negative control, suggesting mutagenic activity even at the lowest concentration used (1.5ml/ml). Moreover, these data clearly demonstrate differences in activity between stereoisomers such as S-(+)-and R-(À)-carvone. Given that a-phellandrene and R-(À)-carvone are widely used compounds, further research is needed in order to have a better understanding of their activity and a clearer picture of their genotoxicity in order to decide whether they should remain or not in the lists of compounds that are safe to use. Copyright

The present study provides information for lethal and sublethal effects of spinosad and deltamethrin against a target and a non-target species. Both insecticides can exert high toxicity to B. oleae when adults are exposed even to very low doses for long periods of time. The results contribute to the database on the genotoxic potential of spinosad and deltamethrin, suggesting a safety profile for both insecticides.

The genotoxic activity of 15 essential oil constituents used as flavouring agents or cosmetic ingredients was assessed at four concentrations (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 µl/ml) using the Drosophila melanogaster (Meigen) somatic mutation and recombination test, also known as the wing spot test. Ten of the compounds tested here, namely d‐neomenthol, nerol, 1‐octen‐3‐ol, α‐terpineol, neryl acetate, terpinyl acetate, p‐cymene, α‐pinene, β‐pinene, α‐terpinene were found free of mutagenic or recombinogenic activity, at the applied concentrations. On the other hand, for (1R)‐(−)‐myrtenol and linalyl acetate, weak positive effects were exhibited even at the lowest concentration. For myrtenyl acetate, weakly positive effects were recorded at the high but not at the low concentrations. The two hydrocarbons, γ‐terpinene and terpinolene, showed no genotoxic activity at the low concentrations, but at the high ones they significantly increased the frequency of mutant clones. Results clearly demonstrate differences in activity of positional isomers such as α‐ and γ‐terpinene and terpinolene. Our data suggest the need for re‐evaluating the safety of suspect compounds with cross‐checked genotoxicity studies and at a range of different concentrations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.