AF-2 Induced Chromosome Aberrations in Vicia faba Root Meristematic Cells

Abstract

The antimicrobial food additive AF-2 is mutagenic in bacteria, Neurospora, yeast and Drosophila. AF-2 breaks mammalian chromsomes. We studied by Feulgen staining the types and distribution of chromosome aberrations induced by AF-2 in Vicia faba root meristems. AF-2 induces (a) mitostasis resulting in accumulation of cells in G1, S or G2 phase, (b) chromosome condensation, (c) pycnosis of the interphase nuclei and (d) anaphase bridges and micronuclei. The bridges involve all the six chromosome pairs but largely the SAT-chromosomes. Attachments are confined to secondary constrictions and chromosome tips. These effects are likely to be due to an indirect action of AF-2 on the genetic material.