The role of plant metabolism in the mutagenic and cytotoxic effects of four organophosphorus insecticides in Salmonella typhimurium and in human cell lines

► Insecticides metabolized by plants were evaluated in Ames test and human cells. ► Plant metabolites of organophosphorus insecticides were mutagenic in TA98 strain. ► A decrease in cytotoxicity in human cells was obtained with plant metabolites. ► A “protecting effect” of plant metabolism was observed in human cells.