Evaluation of the genome stability of schoolchildren with different food preferences by micronucleus test

Abstract

The results of questionnaire and micronucleus testing of a group of 10-11 years old students are presented. The infl uence of food preferences on stabilization and destabilization of the genome was assessed using the micronucleus test (MNT) on the buccal epithelium. The greatest amount of micronuclei (MN) was found in schoolchildren who prefer dairy products (15±2.8) and cereals (19±1.4). The destabilization of the genome, determined by the MNT test, is most noted in schoolchildren who prefer dairy dishes and cereals. A value close to the average value typical for the schoolchildren population of this region, equal to 4.6±0.7, was obtained in schoolchildren who prefer vegetables and fruits, which indicates a favorable stabilization of the genome in this group of the studied. In schoolchildren who prefer confectionery, the frequency of occurrence of micronuclei in the buccal epithelium is 2.7±0.3. The groups of products, according to the degree of ability to form ME, can be arranged in the following order: cereals > dairy dishes > meat and fi sh dishes > vegetables and fruits > confectionery and baked goods.