Abstract
The present study was carried out to compare the mutagenic effects of the synthetic fungicide nimrod and the natural fungicide rhizo-N (produced by the bacterium Bacillus subtilis) on mitosis of Allium cepa cells. This study also concerned with the changes in seed protein profile after treatment with both pesticides using sodium dodecyl sulfate poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Different concentrations for each fungicide were applied for 3, 6, 24, and 48 h. The obtained results indicate that the two fungicides caused reduction in mitotic activity and induced different types of mitotic abnormalities such as C-metaphase, laggard chromosomes, bridges, stickiness, and disturbed phases as well as micronuclei and multinucleate interphase cells. These changes appeared in varying degree depending on the duration of treatment and concentration applied. The results showed that the synthetic fungicide nimrod have more mutagenic potentialities than the natural fungicide. At electrophoretic level, these fungicides induced alterations in the protein banding patterns of A. cepa seeds as compared with untreated samples. Key words: Allium cepa, mitotic division, chrosomal abnormality, Bacillus subtilis, pesticides, sodium dodecyl sulfate poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).
Highlights
Chemical pesticides are widely used in Egypt and other countries to minimize the loss of economic crops due to pest invading
Results obtained from the present study showed that, both pesticides examined induced change in the frequency of mitotic phases that is accompanied by a decrease in mitotic index (MI) and appearance of different mitotic abnormalities
The results indicated that all treatment with the synthetic fungicide nimrod induced marked reduction in mitotic activity
Summary
Chemical pesticides are widely used in Egypt and other countries to minimize the loss of economic crops due to pest invading. Evidences accumulated in the past two decades have indicated that a large number of chemical pesticides have mutagenic effects and are capable of inducing chromosomal aberration or DNA damage in cells of different organisms (Singh, 2007; Asya et al, 2012; Mossa and Abbassy, 2012; Sibhghatulla et al, 2012) The danger of these pesticides is not necessary due to direct contact, since it was found that some of these pesticides may accumulate in the food to a toxic level and could be dangerous on the public health (Ergonen et al, 2005). The danger of these pesticides is not necessary due to direct contact, since it was found that some of these pesticides may accumulate in the food to a toxic level and could be dangerous on the public health (Ergonen et al, 2005). Santovito et al (2012) reported that human lymphocytes treated in vitro with the fungicide thiran showed a clastogenic effect with respect to residue limits found in some fruits and vegetables in Italy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
