1Department of Basic Sciences and Humanities, College of Home Science, Central Agricultural University, Tura, Meghalaya-794005.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, VBS Purvanchal University, Jaunpur-222001, (Uttar Pradesh), India.
* Corresponding author lkmishra2005@gmail.com
Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of sodium metabisulphite, a commonly used food additive has been studied on root tip cells of Allium cepa L. The root tips were treated with series of concentrations (10, 20, 30mg/lit) for 10 and 20 hours. Increase in concentration and time duration of the treatments decreased root growth, mitotic index and increased in chromosomal abnormalities. C-mitosis was the most frequent abnormality observed along with other abnormalities such as sticky chromosomes, laggards, micronuclei, and bridges during ana-phase and telophase. The present investigation clearly establishes the deleterious effects of sodium metabisulphite. Thus, its use should be minimized and search for alternative biopreservative having negligible toxicity must be undertaken.
Sodium metabisulphite, Allium cepa, mitotic index, Chromosomal abnormality
