Duration dependent mutagenic study of cola drinks on Allium cepa L.

摘要

The mutagenecity of carbonated cola drinks were investigated using the root chromosome assay. Treatment with cola drinks for 2, 24 & 48 hours showed mito-inhibitory effect. The total chromosomal aberrations increased significantly with prolonged exposures, indicating duration dependant cytostatic and clastogenic properties of Coke and Pepsi. Carbonated drinks broke its way as becogiing part of human consumption in the early 19th century. Although sources of empty calories, they have replaced healthyfruit juices and are the dietary staple of the youth today. Recent findings by the Center for Science and Environment claimed that tests revealed the presence of four extremely toxic pesticides and insecticides such as Chlorpyrifos, Dichloro-diphenly-trichloroethane (DDT), Lindane and Malathion levels higher than the European Economic Community (EEC) standardsMhe growing awareness that chemicals present in the edible products causes deleterious, heritable change in humans without immediate toxic effecthas given impetus to study the effect of carbonated cola drinks on plant systems. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate any possible mutagenic and chromotoxic effect Coke and Pepsi may have on the cell cycle and chromosomes.