Genotoxicity Assessment of Potassium Bromate by Means of DNA Image Analysis on the Root Tip Nuclei of Allium sativum L.

Allium sativum assay was widely used to assess the compound's cytotoxicity and genotoxicity on plants and animals. Only few studies analyzed the genotoxic effect of potassium bromated (KBrO3) on the DNA content of plant cells. DNA content assay is an efficient test for the measure of chromosomal DNA damages. Based on this approach the effect of KBrO3 on DNA content change was investigated in root tip nuclei of A. sativum. Different concentrations of food additives KBrO3. 3 g/l, 5 g/l 7 g/l and 9 g/l % were prepared and treatments were given. A. sativum root were incubated for 2, 6 and 24 hours and DNA image analysis of root tip nuclei was performed. The analysis was based on the measurement of the Mean Optical Density (MOD) which represents the cellular DNA content. The results showed that the KBrO3 significantly decreased of DNA content compared to the control at all concentrations and treatment periods in dose-dependent manner. The present study suggests that extensive use of food additives should be banned due to genotoxic effect on living cells. Therefore, there is an urgent need to evaluate potential mutagenic effects of KBrO3 on human.