Sugarcane Vinasse, a Residue of Ethanol Industry: Toxic, Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Potential Using the <i>Allium cepa</i> Test

Abstract

The search for fuels to replace petroleum consumption has caused an increase in the production of biofuels worldwide. The ethanol, which comes from sugarcane, is an energy resource with low polluting potential, but its production generates other environmental problems. On average, 10 to 15 liters of vinasse are generated while preparing each liter of ethanol. Vinasse is the final by-product of the biomass distillation, mainly for the production of ethanol, from different cultures such as sugarcane. Because excessive quantities of vinasse are produced, alternatives have been required for use, for example as fertilizer, in a process known as fertigation. These excessive amounts of vinasse applied in soils have generated adverse effects on soil properties and to the organisms. This study carried out the toxic, cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of sugarcane vinasse obtained from two different harvests (Samples I and II), using the Allium cepa organism test. A. cepa seeds were exposed to raw vinasse (RV) and diluted in different concentrations: control soil + raw vinasse (SV); vinasse diluted in water at 50% + control soil (V 50%); vinasse diluted in water at 25% + control soil (V 25%); vinasse diluted in water at 12.5% + control soil (V 12.5%). The chemical characterization of vinasse samples showed a low pH and high concentration of potassium. The results demonstrate that the two RV samples tested are toxic, since no seeds germination was observed. The cytotoxic potential was observed in the sample II of SV and V (50%). All groups evaluated in samples I and II, induced chromosomal alterations, statistically significant compared with negative control. An increase in frequency of micronuclei in meristematic cells was observed in the SV (Sample I) and all groups evaluated in samples II. Based on the results it is concluded that the genetic material of the test-system was damaged when exposed to sugarcane vinasse, * Corresponding author. J. Pedro-Escher et al. 603suggesting that one should be very careful in the use of this waste that has been used sometimes indiscriminately in soils.

Toxicity of two effluents from agricultural activity: Comparing the genotoxicity of sugar cane and orange vinasse

“…Several authors have reported that the genotoxicity of vinasse is due to the presence of metals such as Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, K, P, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu (Pedro-Escher et al, 2014;Souza et al, 2013;Srivastava and Jain, 2010). Pedro-Escher et al (2016) observed that sugar cane vinasse applied to soil at different dilutions (12.5%, 25% and 50%) was responsible for inducing CA such as adhesion and chromosomal loss and polyploidy in meristematic cells of A. cepa. Similar results were observed by Christofoletti et al (2013b), even when the concentration of metals present in the sugar cane vinasse was below those allowed by the environmental legislation.…”

Bioassays based on higher plants as excellent dosimeters for ecotoxicity monitoring: A review

“…A. cepa test showed that the higher concentrations of distillery effluents inhibited cell division significantly. In another study, Pedro-Escher et al, studied vinasse (by-product of the biomass distillation, mainly for the production of ethanol, from different cultures such as sugarcane and used as fertilizer) for toxicity using A. cepa test (Pedro-Escher et al, 2016). using A. cepa, bulbs were exposed to raw vinasse (RV) (from two different harvests (I and II)) and control soil + raw vinasse (SV); vinasse diluted in water at 50% + control soil (V 50%); vinasse diluted in water at 25% + control soil (V 25%); vinasse diluted in water at 12.5% + control soil (V 12.5%).…”

Fenton and solar photo‐Fenton processes in the depuration of wastewater resulting from production of grape juice. A factorial design

“…The biological treatment process is, to some extent, useful. However, the final effluent from this process still contains recalcitrant compounds and inhibitors of biological activity . Electrochemical oxidation is an alternative for the treatment of wastewater, because the production of hydroxyl radicals ( • OH) on the anode allows the mineralization of organic compounds .…”

“…However, the final effluent from this process still contains recalcitrant compounds and inhibitors of biological activity. 11 Electrochemical oxidation is an alternative for the treatment of wastewater, because the production of hydroxyl radicals ( • OH) on the anode allows the mineralization of organic compounds. 12,13 One disadvantage of this process to take into consideration is the high operational cost caused by the consumption of electrical energy.…”