PHYTOGENOTOXICITY ASSESMENT OF MOSQUITO REPELLENT COILS USED IN PAKISTAN VIA PLANT CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATION ASSAY

Abstract

The rising prevalence of mosquitos borne deadly illnesses has made mosquitoes repellent usage common in Pakistan, with coils the popular choice. In order to estimate safe limits for humans three most commonly used type of mosquito repellent coils in Pakistan were compared for phyto-genotoxicity (DNA damage) using chromosomal aberration assay in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) root tip cells. Chickpea seeds per treatment were incubated in coil smoke of five brands (PPJ, KRD, KCEP, GNA, TL) for 20, 40 and 60 minutes in approximately 24 by 24 inch Paper carton. Germination percentage was recorded by sowing seeds in sand pots. Genotoxic effects were assessed using a plant chromosomal aberration assay, measuring the Mitotic index, abnormality index and types of chromosomal aberrations were recorded to categorize different repellents. All the incubations of coils inhibit germination of chickpea seed as compared to positive control. The inhibitory effects on germination were more pronounced as the incubation increases except PPJ. For Mitotic index highly significant variation (p≥0.01) were found among all coils and their doses (20, 40, 60 minutes). KRD exhibited non-significant variations for only 60 minutes incubation. Decreasing trends for mitotic index with increasing doses was observed for most of treatments. For abnormality index highly significant variation (p≥0.01) were found among all the doses for KRD, where as PPJ and TL exhibited non-significant variations between 40 and 60 minutes incubation. Based on the Mitotic Index and abnormality index results, KCEP and KRD coils demonstrated highest genotoxicity. Therefore, these brands of coils should not be used and other brands may also be avoided