Genotoxic effects of copper nanoparticles on Vicia pannonica Crantz. root meristem cells

With the increasing use of metal nanoparticles, their access to the food chain has become the main concern for scientists. The present study sheds light on the copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs), which are widely used in many industries today. For this purpose, Vicia pannonica Crantz., a common fodder plant, was used and exposed to metal-based Cu NPs. To determine the genotoxic effects on root meristem cells, total of 3 different concentrations (50 ppm, 150 ppm, and 300 ppm) of Cu NPs and the control in deionized water solutions were prepared. The determination of the accumulation and elimination of Cu NPs in Vicia pannonica used in the study was carried out using with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), SEM element mapping, and energy dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDS) characteristic spectrum analysis. All doses of Cu NPs caused significant decreases in the Mitotic index of V. pannonica meristem cells compared to the control. Multiple analyzes carried out in the study showed that Cu NPs caused abnormalities in cell division such as C-metaphase, polar aberration, deconstructed anaphase, chromosome breakage, loss of genetic material, failure to assemble in the metaphase plate, deconstructed metaphase, asynchronous division remaining chromosome in metaphase, adhesion, deconstructed prophase, advanced chromosomes, and chromosome bridges in anaphase. Results support that Cu NPs have a genotoxic effect on V. pannonica.