The industrial production and commercial applications of titanium dioxide nanoparticles have increased considerably in recent times, which has increased the probability of environmental contamination with these agents and their adverse effects on living systems. This study was designed to assess the genotoxicity potential of TiO2 NPs at high exposure concentrations, its bio-uptake, and the oxidative stress it generated, a recognised cause of genotoxicity. Allium cepa root tips were treated with TiO2 NP dispersions at four different concentrations (12.5, 25, 50, 100 µg/mL). A dose dependant decrease in the mitotic index (69 to 21) and an increase in the number of distinctive chromosomal aberrations were observed. Optical, fluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed chromosomal aberrations, including chromosomal breaks and sticky, multipolar, and laggard chromosomes, and micronucleus formation. The chromosomal aberrations and DNA damage were also validated by the comet assay. The bio-uptake of TiO2 in particulate form was the key cause of reactive oxygen species generation, which in turn was probably the cause of the DNA aberrations and genotoxicity observed in this study.

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With a PhD in Nanotechnology, Prathna Thanjavur Chandrasekaran has been working in the field of drinking water treatment for the past 5+ years and has more than 28 publications in peer-reviewed international journals and 1300+ citations to her credit. She has worked with academic institutions of repute such as the Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore) and IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, the Netherlands (formerly UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education). Her research at these institutions primarily focused on optimizing adsorbent nanomaterials for the development of decentralized drinking water filters. She recently joined the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control as a Chief Minister's Fellow with the Delhi Government (India) and works on projects related to the revival of water bodies, water management, and reuse.