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 (Al 2 O 3 NPs) and bulk aluminium oxide (Al 2 O 3 ) 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 Al 2 O 3 NPs being significantly higher than those treated with bulk Al 2 O 3 . The divisional frequency was affected by the NP treatment. Oxidative damage such as lipid peroxidation and cell death to Allium under Al 2 O 3 NPs treatments was greater than that observed in bulk Al 2 O 3 . A significant increase in activity of guiacol peroxidase was observed in accordance with the depletion in catalase activity in both Al 2 O 3 NPs and bulk Al 2 O 3 treated plants as compared to control. In conclusion, the present study indicated that Al 2 O 3 NPs treatment exerted higher genotoxicity and oxidative stress responses on A. cepa than bulk Al 2 O 3 under in planta conditions.