Flavone inhibits mutagen formation during heating in a glycine/creatine/glucose model system

2-Amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MelQx) and 2-amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoxaline (7,8-DiMelQx) were formed in a glycine/creatine/glucose model system. Addition of flavone into this model mixture gave a dose-related inhibition of mutagen formation. Furthermore, the major mutagenic fractions of basic extracts from the heated model mixture, with or without flavone, were purified and analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The 10-μmol flavone was present during heating in the model mixture and the mutagenic activities of MelQx and 7,8-DiMelQx were lowered by 31.3 and 27.8%, respectively. The inhibitory effects of flavone in the heated model system are possibly attributable to the reduction of the formation of Maillard reaction products. The findings may be a useful means for reducing the formation of mutagens of the 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ) type during food processing.