A study on genotoxicity of textile dyeing industry effluents from Rajshahi,Bangladesh, by the Allium cepa test

Textile dye effluents are believed to be toxic as they might exert various harmful effects on living organisms including genotoxicity. These effluents are the main source of direct and continuous input of pollutants into the aquatic ecosystems. In this study, dye effluents from a local silk dyeing industry were analysed for their genotoxic potential by the Allium cepa genotoxicity test. The A. cepa test is characterised as a genotoxicity test where the roots of A. cepa are grown in different concentrations of the test material. The macroscopic results clearly showed that the toxicity of the dye effluents prompted A. cepa root growth inhibition, and this effect increased with higher concentrations of the effluents. At the cellular level, no dividing cells were found at higher concentrations such as 60%, 80% and 100% of the effluents. However, at a lower concentration of 20%, dividing cells were identified, although the mitotic index was much lower than that of the control. Microscopic analysis showed that the dye effluents induced chromosomal aberrations at significant levels. Taken together, these results revealed that the textile dyeing industry effluents are toxic to eukaryotic cells and these dyes have genotoxic properties that can potentially lead to cancer development and adverse health conditions.     

The toxic and environmental evaluation of pyrolytic liquids by Allium cepa test

In this study, liquid products obtained from the pyrolysis of hazelnut shell (HS), with and without ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), were subjected to the Allium cepa test system. Pyrolysis in conjunction with the A. cepa test is a promising technology not only from the perspective of energy savings and a source of precious material, but in terms of the removal of hazardous material from the environment in safe manner. Dosages of pyrolytic liquids dissolved in water were determined according to lethal dose (LD₅₀), with three different solution concentrations. The preparates were dyed with acetocarmine. The mitotic index decreased and chromosomal aberration, especially stickiness and c-mitosis, increased with dosage and time. The addition of UHMWPE to HS in the pyrolysis process resulted in less harmful chemical agents, as observed by the relatively higher mitotic index and lower levels of chromosomal aberration.     

Bioaccumulation and toxic effects of copper in common onion Allium cepa L.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential utility of Allium cepa L. as a bioindicator organism for measuring copper bioaccumulation and toxicity in laboratory conditions. Onions were exposed to increasing concentrations of the metal (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 μg mL^?1) for 7 days. Root and leaf development were chosen as biological endpoints, while bioaccumulation was evaluated in roots, bulbs and leaves. Copper caused inhibition of root elongation with increasing effects at the higher doses, growth being reduced by almost 60% at 0.1 μg mL^?1 and up to 95% at 10 μg mL^?1. The elongation of leaves was significantly lower only in specimens exposed at 0.5 μg mL^?1, but a total absence of newly formed tissues was observed at 10 μg mL^?1. A marked bioaccumulation of copper was measured in roots, with values increasing up to almost four orders of magnitude compared to controls; only slight or even no significant differences were observed for copper levels in leaves and bulbs of treated A. cepa. Multiple linear correlations revealed a significant inverse relationship between copper concentrations and tissue length in both the roots and leaves, evidencing a sensitive responsiveness of this biological model. The overall results suggest the suitability of A. cepa as a robust species for easy and simple ecotoxicological bioassays to test the toxic effects and bioavailability of environmental pollutants, especially trace metals.     

Genotoxic Effect of Phenol on the Cells of Onion (Allium cepa) Roots

The roots of onion (Allium cepa) stand out for having cells with large size and small number of chromosomes.These characteristics make them useful in bioassays for the measurement of a variety of cytogenetic and morphological parameters , in which they can be used as toxicity indicators of the induction and formation of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations.Based on this background , the potential genotoxic effect of phenol concentration on cells of A.ceparoots was investigated either in terms of induced aberrations or micronuclei formation.The results demonstrated that the higher the concentration of phenol , the higher the incidence of abnormalities , thus confirming the genotoxicity of this pollutant.     

Assessment of micronuclei and chromosomal anomalies of five biocompatible materials in mice

In vivo genetic toxicology tests measure direct DNA damage or the formation of gene or chromosomal mutations, and are used to predict mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of compounds for regulatory purposes. These adverse genotoxic effects may be manifested in the form of gene mutations, structural chromosomal aberrations (CA), recombination, and numerical changes. The present investigation was carried to assess genotoxic effects of five different implantable biomaterials developed in different laborataries of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology. All biomaterials were developed for clinical applications. CA and micronuclei (MN) studies are biomarkers of genotoxicity testing. Leachants from the extract of biomaterials are capable of inducing structural and numerical chromosomal changes. The studies were conducted in Swiss albino mice with the physiological saline extract of materials together with cyclophosphamide and physiological saline as positive and negative controls. Animals were administered intraperitoneally (ip) with a single injection of test, positive (cyclophosphamide), and negative (physiological saline) control and sacrificed after 24 or 48?h. Bone marrow cells were collected for CA and MN assays. Data showed that all five biomaterials did not significantly exert genotoxic effects. Hence, the study indicates that these biomaterials do not induce any chromosomal anomalies.     

Study of the effect of refinery waste water exposure on Allium cepa's enzymatic antioxidant defense: probing potential biomarkers

The effects of heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and various toxicants present in Mathura Refinery Waste Water (MRWW) on Allium cepa were examined as a model plant system. The study was based on exposure of A. cepa to different concentrations of MRWW and compared to untreated control (exposure of onion bulbs with aquaguard purified water) to determine the total protein content and activities of certain antioxidant enzymes. These enzymes were evaluated for their efficacy to serve as biomarkers of refinery waste water pollution. DNA damaging potential of MRWW was also investigated. Data demonstrated maximal enhancement in ascorbate peroxidase activity subsequent to MRWW insult, although a significant increase in activities was also noted for other enzymes in the following order: superoxide dismutase?>?glutathione-S-transferase?> catalase. This is suggestive of their potency as a biomarker of MRWW toxicity. Increase in activities of monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR; 152%) and deoxyribonuclease (345%) were also found in the A. cepa system as a result of MRWW exposure. In conclusion, A. cepa system might thus serve as an appropriate tool for monitoring water pollution, especially produced by petroleum waste and heavy metals in term of induction of glutathione peroxidase, MDHAR, and deoxyribonuclease activity.