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Evaluation of phenol detoxification by Brassica napus hairy roots, using Allium cepa test

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Abstract

Introduction

Meristematic mitotic cells of Allium cepa constitute an adequate material for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity evaluation of environmental pollutants, such as phenol, which is a contaminant frequently found in several industrial effluents.

Results and discussion

In the present work, Brassica napus hairy roots (HR) were used for phenol removal assays. The toxicity of post-removal solutions (PRS) and phenol solutions was analyzed. These HR removed the contaminant with high efficiency (100–80% for phenol solutions containing 10–250 mg/L, respectively). Phenol solutions treated with B. napus HR showed a significant reduction of general toxicity compared to untreated phenol solutions, since the IC50 values were 318.39 and 229.02 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, PRS presented lower cytotoxicity and genotoxicity than that found in phenol solutions untreated. The mitotic index (MI) observed in meristematic cells treated with PRS (100 and 250 mg/L of phenol) showed an increase of 35% and 42%, whereas the chromosome aberrations showed a significant decrease. According to these results, B. napus HR cultures could be used for the treatment of solutions contaminated with phenol, since we observed not only high removal efficiency, but also an important reduction of the general toxicity, cytotoxicity, and genotoxicity.

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Abbreviations

HR:

Hairy roots

PRS:

Post-removal solutions

MI:

Mitotic index

IC50:

Inhibitory concentration 50 value

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología Molecular, FCEFQN, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, 5800, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina

    Paola S. González, Guillermo A. Maglione, Micaela Giordana, Cintia E. Paisio, Melina A. Talano & Elizabeth Agostini

  2. Departamento de Biología Molecular, FCEFQN, UNRC, Ruta 36 Km 601, CP 5800, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina

    Paola S. González

Authors
  1. Paola S. González
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  2. Guillermo A. Maglione
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  3. Micaela Giordana
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  4. Cintia E. Paisio
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  5. Melina A. Talano
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  6. Elizabeth Agostini
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Correspondence to Paola S. González.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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González, P.S., Maglione, G.A., Giordana, M. et al. Evaluation of phenol detoxification by Brassica napus hairy roots, using Allium cepa test. Environ Sci Pollut Res 19, 482–491 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0581-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0581-6

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