Genotoxicity induced by water and sediment samples from a river under the influence of brewery effluent.

Brewery effluents contain complex mixtures that are discharged into rivers. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the genotoxic potential of these effluents. The study evaluated the genotoxicity of surface water and sediment samples from the Jacuí River in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, which received effluents discharged from a brewery. The Salmonella/microsome test, Comet Assay and Micronucleus test on V79 cells, as well as the element profile (PIXE) and PAHs levels were used for this purpose. The surface water and sediment samples were collected in summer at three sites: 1 km upstream from the brewery discharge site (Site A); in front of the effluent discharge site, after chemical and biological treatment (Site B); about 1 km downstream from the discharge site (Site C). Only a sediment sample from Site A induced a mutagenic effect using the Salmonella/microsoma test (TA97a). All three sites presented genotoxicity (A, B and C), both for water and sediments using comet assay, and mutagenicity in the samples from Site B (surface water) and Site A and Site C (sediments) using the micronuclei tests. The results of PIXE and PAHs showed higher levels of elements for samples obtained from sites upstream and downstream from the effluent discharge. Environmental samples consist of complex mixtures of chemicals, and it is difficult to associate DNA damage with a specific element. This study showed that brewery effluent contains metals and PAHs that can induce in vitro genotoxicity under the conditions of this study.

Chemical and toxicological effects of medicinal Baccharis trimera extract from coal burning area.

The entire process of power generation, extraction, processing and use of coal strongly impact water resources, soil, air quality and biota leads to changes in the fauna and flora. Pollutants generated by coal burning have been contaminating plants that grow in area impacted by airborne pollution with high metal contents. Baccharis trimera is popularly consumed as tea, and is widely developed in Candiota (Brazil), one of the most important coal burning regions of the Brazil. This study aims to investigate the phytochemical profile, in vivo genotoxic and mutagenic potential of extracts of B. trimera collected from an exposed region to pollutants generated by coal burning (Candiota City) and other unexposed region (Bagé City), using the Comet assay and micronucleus test in mice and the Salmonella/microsome short-term assay. The HPLC analyses indicated higher levels of flavonoids and phenolic acids for B. trimera aqueous extract from Bagé and absence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for both extracts. The presence of toxic elements such as cobalt, nickel and manganese was statistically superior in the extract from Candiota. For the Comet assay and micronucleus test, the mice were treated with Candiota and Bagé B. trimera aqueous extracts (500-2000 mg/kg). Significant genotoxicity was observed at higher doses treated with B. trimera aqueous extract from Candiota in liver and peripheral blood cells. Micronuclei were not observed but the results of the Salmonella/microsome short-term assay showed a significant increase in TA98 revertants for B. trimera aqueous extract from Candiota. The extract of B. trimera from Candiota bioacumulated higher levels of trace elements which were associated with the genotoxic effects detected in liver and peripheral blood cells.