Genotoxicity of engineered nanoparticles in higher plants

Publication date: Available online 11 January 2019Source: Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental MutagenesisAuthor(s): Manosij Ghosh, Ilika Ghosh, Lode Godderis, Peter Hoet, Anita MukherjeeAbstractNanoparticles (NPs) are an emerging environmental threat. However, studies of NPs in different environmental components are limited. In this review, we discuss studies that have evaluated the genotoxicity of NPs in higher plants. Among the 29 studies reviewed, silver NPs were most studied (n = 7 articles), with fewer studies reporting the genotoxicity of carbon nanotubes (n = 3), titanium dioxide NPs (n = 4), and zinc oxide NPs (n = 3). Most of the genotoxicity studies were performed in the model plant systems Allium sp (n = 22), Nicotiana sp (n = 4) and Vicia sp (n = 4) using chromosome aberration (n = 22), micronucleus (n = 15) and comet assays (n = 14). Genotoxicity was observed in most of the studies; however, many studies did consider key determinants of NP toxicity such as particle characterization, dissolution, and uptake. From this review, we propose a set of guidelines that should be considered when reporting results of NP toxicity in plants.

Source: Mutation Research Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis - January 12, 2019 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research