DNA integrity of onion (Allium cepa L.) root cells exposed to ballast water
November 17, 2014
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| Article Title: | DNA integrity of onion (Allium cepa L.) root cells exposed to ballast water |
| Authors: | Olorunfemi D.I., Okieimen E.A., Ovwemuvwose J. |
| Affiliation: | 1Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria 2Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria |
| Abstract: | Contaminated ballast water can pollute fresh waters. Regular sampling followed up by detailed analysis appears to ensure the proper monitoring that shipping activities do not encourage its indiscriminate discharge on the environment. In this study, the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay was used to assess the level of DNA damage in Allium cepa L. roots exposed to ballast water at different concentrations [0.5, 1, 5 and 10% (v/v)]. Compared to the control (tap water), the DNA obtained from the onion roots exposed to the wastewater caused greater changes in the RAPD patterns. This was discernible with appearance/disappearance of bands in the treated plants. A total of 116 RAPD bands were obtained using five oligonucleotide primers and 61 (52.5%) of these showed polymorphism. Onion bulbs exposed to the ballast water caused 17 new bands to appear and 18 to disappear; the loss and gain of bands decreasing with the raise of wastewater concentration. The genetic distances shown on the dendrogram revealed that genotoxicity of the wastewater was concentration-dependent. The data obtained from the RAPD fingerprinting imply that proper treatment should be given to ballast water to prevent, minimize, and ultimately eliminate the risks associated with its discharge into the environment as the wastewater is capable of inducing genotoxic effects. |
| Keywords: | ballast water, rapd, dna damage, allium cepa, seagoing vessels |
| References: | |
| *Correspondence: | Daniel Ikudayisi Olorunfemi, Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria |
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