Genetic Damage Effects of Several Dyes to Root Tip Cells of Plants

This paper studied the genetic damage effects of dyes on the root tip of plants and could provide evidence for evaluating the genetically damaged of plant cells by the dyes and references for the safe use of dyes. Vicia faba, Allium cepa, Allium sativum and Vicia taipaica were used as experimental object, and the micronucleus rates of root tip cells induced by reactive brilliant red X-3B, direct red 28, alizarin red S and reactive brilliant blue KN-R were determined. The result showed that the micronucleus rate of plants root tip cells rises with the increase of exposure concentration. The genetic damage effects of dyes with high treatment concentration were significantly higher in V. faba than in V. taipaica. The micronucleus rate of root tip cells of plants exposed to azo dye was significantly greater than that exposed to anthraquinone dye. This study suggested that dyes have certain genetic damage to plant cells and it is urgent to determine the safe concentration of industrial dyes.