Cellular damages in the Allium cepa test system, caused by BTEX mixture prior and after biodegradation process

Abstract

Petroleum and derivatives have been considered one of the main environmental contaminants. Among petroleum derivatives, the volatile organic compounds benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) represent a major concern due to their toxicity and easy accumulation in groundwater. Biodegradation methods seem to be suitable tools for the clean-up of BTEX contaminants from groundwater. Genotoxic and mutagenic potential of BTEX prior and after biodegradation process was evaluated through analyses of chromosomal aberrations and MN test in meristematic and F(1) root cells using the Allium cepa test system. Seeds of A. cepa were germinated into five concentrations of BTEX, non-biodegraded and biodegraded, in ultra-pure water (negative control), in MMS 4×10(-4)M (positive control) and in culture medium used in the biodegradation (blank biodegradation control). Results showed a significant frequency of both chromosomal and nuclear aberrations. The micronucleus (MN) frequency in meristematic cells was significant for most of tested samples. However, MN was not present in significant levels in the F(1) cells, suggesting that there was no permanent damage for the meristematic cell. The BTEX effects were significantly reduced in the biodegraded samples when compared to the respective non-biodegraded concentrations. Therefore, in this study, the biodegradation process showed to be a reliable and effective alternative to treat BTEX-contaminated waters. Based on our results and available data, the BTEX toxicity could also be related to a synergistic effect of its compounds.

DNA damage and cytotoxicity in pathology laboratory technicians exposed to organic solvents

“…Further, xylene should be manipulated in a fume hood (NIOSH 1993). Considering the hazardous of xylene to human health, it is extremely important the correct use of PPE and CPE since chronic exposure to this compound has been associated to damages in the nervous system, liver and kidneys (Mazzeo et al 2011). The lack of appropriated protective equipment use may be the cause of symptoms reported by the technicians.…”

“…In recent years, the increased use of petroleumbased products in automobiles and industry has led to important impacts on the environment and human health, mainly caused by the use of volatile organic solvents, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (Mazzeo et al 2011). These substances are present in a wide range of products, including industrial paints, aerosols, fuels (Tieyu et al 2014), starting materials for the manufacture of pesticides, plastics and synthetic fi bers (Chen et al 2008).…”

Estrogenicity and Genotoxicity Detection in Different Contaminated Waters

“…However, the relatively high concentrations of BTEX, TPH-GRO, and PAH are certainly the main candidates as the root cause of nuclear abnormalities observed in cells of exposed fishes (Mazzeo et al 2011;Nogueira et al 2011).…”

Microbiological quality and genotoxic potential of surface water located above the Guarani aquifer

“…For evaluation of mutation and damages in the DNA of organisms, studies have been conducted using Allium cepa, which can detect cytotoxic and mutagens substances from water (Amaral et al 2007;Mazzeo et al 2011;Geremias et al 2012). Some authors have recommended the use of A. cepa for the quality screening of surface water because it has a high sensitivity; is cheap, rapid, and easy to handle (Rank and Nielsen 1994;Düsman et al 2014).…”