Mancozeb Causes Cell Damage in Onion Root Tips

Jenn Hoskins
11th July, 2024

Mancozeb Causes Cell Damage in Onion Root Tips

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by the Federal Institute of Mato Grosso found that mancozeb significantly affects cell division and causes chromosomal damage in plant roots
  • Higher concentrations of mancozeb (250-500 mg/L) increased the formation of micronuclei, indicating mutagenic effects
  • Mancozeb also showed harmful effects on red blood cells in female rats at concentrations starting from 125 mg/L
Mancozeb is a widely used fungicide belonging to the dithiocarbamate group, commonly applied in agriculture to manage various fungal diseases. Given its extensive use, understanding its toxicological profile is crucial, as humans may be exposed through contaminated food or water. A recent study conducted by the Federal Institute of Mato Grosso aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic potentials of mancozeb using the Allium cepa L. test system and its cytotoxic effects on erythrocytes of female rats (Rattus norvegicus)[1]. The study exposed the meristematic roots of A. cepa bulbs to different concentrations of mancozeb (62.5, 125, 250, and 500 mg/L) for 24, 48, and 72 hours. The researchers assessed cytotoxicity by evaluating the mitotic index (MI), while chromosomal aberrations (CA) and nuclear anomalies (NA) were analyzed for genotoxicity. Micronuclei (MN) formation was used to determine mutagenicity. Distilled water and copper sulfate (0.0006 mg/L) served as negative and positive controls, respectively. The findings revealed that all concentrations of mancozeb significantly affected the MI, CA, and NA compared to the negative control, indicating potential cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Furthermore, MN formation significantly increased with mancozeb concentrations from 250 mg/L to 500 mg/L within 24 hours, suggesting mutagenic effects. Additionally, mancozeb showed cytolytic effects at concentrations starting from 125 mg/L in another model system. These results indicate that mancozeb causes cytogenetic alterations and mutagenicity at concentrations lower than those typically used in agricultural practices. This underscores the need for more stringent management and regulatory oversight of this fungicide to mitigate potential risks to human health. The methodology used in this study aligns with previous research on other fungicides. For example, similar tests on procymidone (PR) and iprodione (IP) demonstrated phytotoxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic effects on A. cepa, including delayed germination, chromosomal changes, and DNA alterations[2]. Another study on imazalil (IMZ) showed cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on A. cepa roots, with significant reductions in root growth and increases in chromosomal aberrations and DNA damage[3]. These studies collectively highlight the importance of evaluating the toxicological impacts of fungicides using plant-based assays like the Allium cepa test system. The consistency of findings across different fungicides reinforces the reliability of this method for detecting cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. In addition to plant-based assays, the use of computational models for toxicity prediction, such as ProTox-II, can complement traditional methods by providing rapid and accurate assessments of chemical safety profiles[4]. ProTox-II integrates molecular similarity, pharmacophores, fragment propensities, and machine-learning models to predict various toxicity endpoints, including acute toxicity, hepatotoxicity, and carcinogenicity. Such tools can aid regulatory agencies and researchers in identifying potential hazards associated with chemical exposures, thereby enhancing risk assessment processes. In conclusion, the study by the Federal Institute of Mato Grosso provides valuable insights into the cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic potentials of mancozeb, emphasizing the need for careful management of this fungicide. The findings align with previous research on other fungicides, reinforcing the utility of the Allium cepa test system for toxicological evaluations. Combining traditional assays with computational models like ProTox-II can further enhance our understanding and regulation of chemical safety.

AgricultureBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Mancozeb induces cytogenotoxicity in meristematic cells of Allium cepa L.

Published 10th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1080/01480545.2024.2370938

Related Studies

2) Toxicological effects of comercial formulations of fungicides based on procymidone and iprodione in seedlings and root tip cells of Allium cepa.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04636-x

3) Cytogenetic and genotoxic assessment in Allium cepa exposed to imazalil fungicide.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08553-2

4) ProTox-II: a webserver for the prediction of toxicity of chemicals.

https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gky318


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