Monitoring of Herbicide Alachlor-Plasmid DNA Interaction by Spectroscopy Techniques

Alachlor [2-chloro-2,6-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl) acetamide] is a widely applied herbicide, mainly used to control weeds. It is a substance of eco- toxicological concern, labeled as suspected carcinogen. Alachlor is metabolized by human cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system. Alachlor or its metabolites may cause cellular damage through oxidative modification of DNA and other macromolecules. In present study, alachlor-induced changes in plasmid DNA were studied by UV, fluorescence, circular dichorism, agarose gel electrophoresis, HPLC, and thermal denaturation. Of the four bases, guanine was preferred by alachlor for adduct formation. The results suggest that alachlor may cause impairment in the structure of DNA, affect its functions and enter into pathological phase. Further, the workers engaged in its production or handling are at high the risk of damaging macromolecules and organs (especially liver) vis-à-vis onset of diseases. Whether or not they may develop cancer will largely depend on the load of alachlor absorbed/inhaled, its interaction with DNA/gene accompanied or followed by activation of certain proto-oncogenes and defective or poor repair system.