MOLLUSCS 
N = 0 
/ 
Figure 6. The biotransformation of a model aromatic amine 
(o-toluidine) by a marine mollusc (bay mussel), marine flat¬ 
fish (starry flounder), and Sprague-Dawley rat. The nitrogen- 
oxidizing capability of mussels is significant in as much as 
all mutagenic and carcinogenic aromatic amines require metabolic 
activation via this pathway. That is, the aromatic amines 
themselves are not harmful but their nitrogen-oxidized metabolites 
are capable of causing damage to biomolecules. 
120 
