Abstract
In the present study, cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic actions of different concentrations (1, 10, 100 and 1000 μg/L) of an azo dye (BDCP – Black Dye Commercial Product) were evaluated using different cytogenetic techniques [(conventional dye, C banding, NOR banding, base-specific fluorochrome banding and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH)] applied to the Allium cepa test-organism. The use of conventional cytogenetic staining allowed us to determine that the azo dye induced cell death, chromosomal aberrations, nuclear alteration and micronuclei. By means of chromosome bandings and the FISH technique, it was possible to notice both cell and nucleolar alterations induced by BDCP, whose effects, in a general way, were not specific for any chromosome sites. The abnormalities observed made it possible to infer both aneugenic and clastogenic actions caused by the dye analyzed. The cytotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects of BDCP were not completely eliminated, even after the recovery treatment of the A. cepa roots in water, showing a cumulative potential effect of the referred dye. Due to these results, we could infer that the BDCP may be a dangerous contaminant to the environment and, consequently, to the lives of the organisms exposed to it.
Highlights
Azo dyes – compounds characterized by the presence of one or more azo groups (-N=N-) – constitute the most important class of dyes in the textile industry [1, 2], because they are one of the most synthesized dyes, showing both excellent fixation properties and permanence in fibers
The sum total of alterations (CNA, micronuclei and chromosome breaks (MN/B) and AP/NE) observed for the A. cepa meristematic cells exposed to the BDCP azo dye, for both the 20-hour treatments and the 48 and 72-hours recovery periods, indicated that only three major concentrations of the dye in the 20hour treatment exhibited significant values in relation to the negative control (NC) test results (Table 2)
The chromosome and nuclear aberrations (CNA) were considered as genotoxicity endpoints, since they reflect in damage to the genetic material of the cells that were not necessarily fixed in the organism, because they are liable for repair or they can lead to complete cell death
Summary
Azo dyes – compounds characterized by the presence of one or more azo groups (-N=N-) – constitute the most important class of dyes in the textile industry [1, 2], because they are one of the most synthesized dyes, showing both excellent fixation properties and permanence in fibers. They enable a wide variety of colors to be obtained in contrast to natural dyes [3]. P-dimethylaminobenzene azo dye (p-DAB) induced cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on bone marrow cells and rat sperms [22]
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