Evaluation of the cytotoxic potential of sodium hypochlorite using meristematic root cells of Lens culinaris Med.

The present investigation was designed to monitor the cytotoxic potential of Sodium Hypochlorite using lentil (Lens culinaris) as a bioindicator of toxicity. Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), is a chemical compound that is used mainly for its disinfectant properties, its effect is widely toxic, which is why it is marketed in low concentrations and it is also a component in various products such as agrochemicals. In the present study the L. culinaris seeds were exposed to different NaClO dose 0, 0.2, 1, 3, 5 and 7 mg L-1 during 24, 48 and 72 h; timeslots in which the root growth was also studied. The cytotoxic potential of NaClO was determined by calculating the mitotic index (MI), calculating cellular anomalies (CA) and observing the longitudinal growth of the roots during the various time periods. The radicular growth was prolonged and it was observed that there was a greater growth at the dose of 1 and 7 mg L-1 in the time of 72 h. The cytotoxic effects could be analyzed in the mitotic index, since the higher the concentration, the lower the mitotic index, as observed in the dose of 7 mg L-1 where a reduction of the mitotic index of the meristematic cells is observed. The results indicate that NaClO has a cytotoxic effect that induces various types of chromosomal abnormalities. This indicates that Sodium Hypochlorite has a cytotoxic effect according to the increase in its dose. Therefore, Lens culinaris turned out to be a kind of appropriate bioindicator to study the cytotoxic effects of various potentially toxic substances.

Evaluation of cytotoxic potential of chlorpyrifos using Lens culinaris Med as efficient bioindicator.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of different concentrations of chlorpyrifos (CPF), using L. culinaris apical cells as a biological indicator. L. culinaris seeds were exposed to different concentrations of chlorpyrifos (0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 15 mg L-1) and a control solution based on distilled water. Subsequently, root growth was measured during 24, 48 and 72 h. Therefore, the mitotic index (MI) and the number of cellular abnormalities were determined at 72 h. According to the obtained results, a decrease in root size was observed in the concentrations of T5 (8 mg L-1) and T6 (10 mg L-1). On the other hand, it was evidenced that, through all the evaluated concentrations, the inhibition of mitosis in the concentrations of T5 (8 mg L-1), T6 (10 mg L-1) and T7 (15 mg L-1) was greater than 50%. Additionally, a variety of chromosomal abnormalities were reported, such as Micronuclei, sticky chromosomes in anaphase, chromosome disruption, irregular anaphase, nucleus absence, nuclear lesions, chromosomes grouped in metaphase, anaphase bridges, metaphase sticky chromosomes, present in all concentrations evaluated. Consequently, the presence of micronuclei in the concentrations of 8 mg L-1, 10 mg L-1 and 15 mg L-1 indicates that the CPF is a highly cytotoxic substance to L. culinaris. Therefore, L. culinaris is a plant species that offers a feasible experimental model to be implemented in laboratory studies with the purpose to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of pesticides.