Identification of genotoxic compounds in crude oil using fractionation according to distillation, polarity and Kow

We examined the degree of DNA damage caused by fractions of crude oil in accordance with the boiling points, polarity and log Kow. Relatively high DNA damage was observed in the aromatic fraction (290-330 °C) and resin and polar fraction (350-400 °C). The resin and polar fraction showed relatively high genotoxicity compared with the aliphatic and aromatic fraction at the 1-4 log Kow range. At the 6-7 log Kow range, the aromatic fraction showed relatively high DNA damage compared with the aliphatic and resin and polar fraction. In particular, every detailed fraction in accordance with the log Kow values (aliphatic and aromatic (310-320 °C) and resins and polar fractions (370-380 °C)) showed one or less than one DNA damage. However, the fractions before separation in accordance with log Kow values (aliphatic and aromatic (310-320 °C) and resin and polar (370-380 °C) fractions) showed high DNA damage. Thus, we confirm the synergistic action between the detailed compounds.