Biological Trace Element Research

, Volume 125, Issue 3, pp 276–285 | Cite as

Correlation of Toxicity with Lead Content in Root Tip Cells (Allium cepa L.)

  • Ingrid Carruyo
  • Yusmary Fernández
  • Letty Marcano
  • Xiomara Montiel
  • Zaida Torrealba
Article
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

The present study determines lead content in onion root tip cells (Allium cepa L.), correlating it with its toxicity. The treatment was carried at 25 ± 0.5°C using aqueous solutions of lead chloride at 0.1, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1 ppm for 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. For each treatment, a control where the lead solution was substituted by distilled water was included. After treatment, the meristems were fixed with a mixture of alcohol–acetic acid (3:1) and colored according to the technique of Feulgen. Lead content was quantified by graphite furnace absorption atomic spectrometry. The lead content in the roots ranged from 3.25 to 244.72 µg/g dry weight, with a direct relation with the concentration and time of exposure. A significant negative correlation was presented (r = −0.3629; p < 0.01) among lead content and root growth increment, and a positive correlation (r = 0.7750; p < 0.01) with the induction of chromosomic aberrations. In conclusion, lead is able to induce a toxic effect in the exposed roots, correlated with its content.

Keywords

GFAAS Root cells Lead Toxicity 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

This work was financed by the Consejo de Desarrollo Científico y Humanístico de la Universidad del Zulia—Venezuela. We also thank Mr. Johann Salas for his technique assistance.

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Copyright information

© Humana Press Inc. 2008

Authors and Affiliations

  • Ingrid Carruyo
    • 1
    • 2
  • Yusmary Fernández
    • 1
  • Letty Marcano
    • 1
  • Xiomara Montiel
    • 1
  • Zaida Torrealba
    • 1
  1. 1.Departamento de Biología, Facultad Experimental de CienciasUniversidad del ZuliaMaracaiboVenezuela
  2. 2.Urbanización Maracaibo, AV 12 A N° 66-66MaracaiboVenezuela

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