Abstract
The effect of solutions of cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QD) as powerful cytotoxic effectors was investigated using a standard Allium cepa L. test system. The diameters of synthesized CdTe QD derived from the optical data varied within 3 – 4 nm. Toxicity of experimental solutions of CdTe QD at the organism level were evaluated by measuring biomass growth of onion roots and cytotoxic influence was estimated based on proliferative activity of root meristem cells. All of CdTe QD experimental solutions in concentration 10 µM significantly inhibited the growth of Allium cepa L. roots, proliferative activity, and total dehydrogenase activity. Relation between the QDs size and their phytotoxicity was not found. However, the highest inhibiting impact was for QDs solution with a nanocrystals size of 3.5 nm. Their ability to penetrate into cells and interact with their intracellular components may cause inhibiting mitosis without fixed clastogenic and aneugenic effects. Solutions of CdTe QD at a given concentration can be considered as potent cytostatic agents for plant cells with antimitotic properties.
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
