CYTOGENETIC EFFECTS OF SURFACTANTS

Abstract

Introduction. The widespread use of surfactants in economic activity and life has led to global pollution. The negative impact of surfactants on various characteristics of living organisms has been revealed, which makes a research on the safety of surfactants extremely relevant. Aim. The aim of this work was to study the genotoxic potential of anionic and cationic surfactants. Methods. The influence of anionic (sodium stearate and alkylbenzenesulpho-acid) and cationic (Praepagen TQ) surfactants on the value of the mitotic index, as well as on the regularity of mitosis and meiosis of Triticum aestivum L. cv. Odesa fantasy by standard cytogenetic methods. Main results. Under the action of surfactants in the root meristem of sprouts, the mitotic index significantly decreased and the number of cells containing chromosomal aberrations increased. Among the abnormalities at the ana-telophase stage, cells with lagging chromosomes, fragments, the formation of chromosomal bridges, and complex disorders were observed. These changes were directly proportional to the concentration of the drugs. The action of the cationic drug was less harmful than the action of both anionic drugs. Treatment of plants with surfactants led to a highly reliable increase in the proportion of abnormal MCPs in both the first and second division of meiosis, directly proportional to the concentration of surfactants applied. No differences were found between the first and second meiotic divisions in terms of the frequency of formation of defective MCPs. Both anionic surfactants had a stronger effect than the cationic one; with the use of alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, the degree of violations in microsporocytes was the greatest. Conclusions. A significant decrease in the mitotic index and an increase in the proportion of cells containing chromosomal aberrations in the root meristem of sprouts, as well as a significant increase in the proportion of abnormal MCPs in both the first and second division of meiosis, were found to be directly proportional to the concentration of surfactant. According to all the parameters studied, the action of the cationic drug “Praepagen TQ” was milder than the action of both anionic surfactants.