Many chemical agents have the property of causing DNA damage which can lead to cancer and are called genotoxins and this property of these chemical agents is called genotoxicity. Genotoxicity is generally confused with mutagenicity but they have some differences. All mutagens are genotoxic while not all genotoxins are mutagenic. These DNA alterations can have both direct and indirect effects on DNA. Direct DNA damage leads to mutations. These changes can affect both somatic and germ cells. Thus, changes in germ cells are transmissible to subsequent generations. Each cell tends to prevent the expression of these genotoxic mutations either by DNA repair or apoptosis. When this repair mechanism fails, it leads to mutagenesis. The resulting DNA damage can take the form of single- or double-strand breaks, point mutations, loss of repair, cross-linking, and chromosomal aberrations. Compromised integrity of genetic material leads to causing cancer. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Agents capable of causing damage to genetic material are called genotoxins and, depending on their mode of action, are classified as mutagens, carcinogens or teratogens. Genotoxins are involved in the pathogenesis of several chronic degenerative diseases, including hepatic, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, chronic inflammation, and aging. Over the past decades, researchers have discovered new bioactive phytocompounds capable of counteracting the effects of physical and chemical mutagens. Several studies have shown potential antigenotoxicity in a variety of fruits. Grapefruit, cranberry, pomegranate, guava, pineapple and mango which are frequently consumed by humans, as well as the analysis of certain phytochemical compounds extracted from fruits and yeasts which have demonstrated antigenotoxic capacity in various tests, including the test of Ames, sister chromatid exchange, chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus and comet testing. Genotoxicity is the ability of different agents to damage genetic material. However, damage induced in genetic material includes not only DNA, but also all cellular components related to the functionality and behavior of chromosomes within the cell. An example are proteins involved in the repair, condensation and decondensation of DNA in chromosomes, or in other structures such as the mitotic spindle, responsible for the distribution of chromosomes during cell division. Agents capable of causing genetic toxicity are termed genotoxic or called genotoxins; and according to their origin, they are classified into three categories: physical, chemical and biological. The first category includes ionizing and electromagnetic radiation, temperature and ultraviolet light. The second group is made up of a wide range of compounds with multiple effects, highlighting heavy metals, pesticides, aromatic hydrocarbons, alkylating agents, acridine, acrylamide, aliphatic epoxides, organic solvents, asbestos particles, food additives and xenobiotics resulting from certain “lifestyles”. such as smoking or drinking (alcoholism). The last category concerns certain parasites, bacteria, plants, viruses and fungi (especially those which.