ASSESSMENT OF CYTOTOXIC POTENTIAL OF TARTRAZINE (E102) ON MERISTEMATIC CELLS OF VICIA FABAMADHUMITA BHATTACHARJEEAbstract Tartrazine (E102) is one of the most commonly used azo benzene artificial yellow food dye. It is widely used in food items, beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic products and has controversial genotoxic status. So the present investigation was planned to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of Tartrazine on meristematic cells of Vicia faba. For this, root tips of Vicia faba were exposed to Tartrazine at 5 concentrations viz. 100 ppm, 250 ppm, 500 ppm, 750 ppm and 1000 ppm for 2h, 4h and 6h. Mitotic index and chromosomal alterations were calculated. The obtained results clearly pointed out that the artificial food colour Tartrazine (E102) is able to cause diverse mitotic changes varying from decrease in mitotic index to the induction of a number of mitotic aberrations. A number of induced mitotic aberrations like nuclear vacuolation, scattered chromosomes, fragmentation, breakage, ring chromosome, bridge and chromosomal extrusion etc. have been observed in the meristematic cells of Vicia faba, when treated with Tartrazine dye. The investigation undoubtedly indicated the cytotoxic consequences of Tartrazine in meristematic cells of Vicia faba and warns people about the adverse effect of this popularly used artificial food colour. The unnecessary and indiscriminate consumption of this dye should be cut down as much as possible especially in the food items meant for children. |