Evaluation of genotoxicity and oxidative stress of aluminium oxide nanoparticles and its bulk form in Allium cepa

In the present study, we examined the effects of aluminium oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) and bulk aluminium oxide (Al2O3) on Allium cepa in terms of genotoxicity and oxidative stress responses under in planta conditions. The concentrations ranged from 1.25 to 5 µM for NP and its bulk form. Results from this investigation indicated steady rise in chromosome aberrations, micronuclei and DNA strand breaks with increase in concentration of the NPs, effects of Al2O3 NPs being significantly higher than those treated with bulk Al2O3. The divisional frequency was affected by the NP treatment. Oxidative damage such as lipid peroxidation and cell death to Allium under Al2O3 NPs treatments was greater than that observed in bulk Al2O3. A significant increase in activity of guiacol peroxidase was observed in accordance with the depletion in catalase activity in both Al2O3 NPs and bulk Al2O3 treated plants as compared to control. In conclusion, the present study indicated that Al2O3 NPs treatment exerted higher genotoxicity and oxidative stress responses on A. cepa than bulk Al2O3 under in planta conditions. © 2016, Archana Sharma Foundation of Calcutta.