Deepa Pv, Priyanka, R. Swarna
Aug 30, 2012
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Abstract
Benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO) is an organic compound which finds a range of applications in many industries. Benzyl derivatives are food additives, used for increasing the taste of food and beverages. It is therefore important to evaluate its genotoxicity and assign the threshold concentration that is permissible for inclusion in edible items. The present study investigated the genotoxic effect of benzaldehyde on Drosophila melanogaster. Two day-old adult males and 3rd instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster were exposed to varying concentrations of the chemical by allowing them to feed on media, containing benzaldehyde. The treated series were compared to the control group (media mixed with distilled water). Our results demonstrated that benzaldehyde induced genotoxic and mutagenic effects. Benzaldehyde caused increased incidence of mutated phenotypes including orange discoloration of thorax and abdomen that was carried over to the F1 generation. The flies lost their viability at higher concentrations of the drug. To assess the phenotypic mutations at the molecular level, protein profiles of the extracts obtained from 3rd instar larvae from control and drug exposed were compared by SDS PAGE. The protein profiling results demonstrated changes in several major proteins. The Wing Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) was used to assess the degree of genotoxicity, by evaluating mitotic recombination and mutations. Trans-heterozygous larvae obtained from the crossing of multiple wing hair and flare(mwh/flr3) were subjected to various concentrations of benzaldehyde. Wing analysis showed single spots that represent mutated flr3 clone and twin spots for mutated mwh clone. Key wordsGenotoxicity, benzaldehyde, wing spot test/SMART, mutagenicity, SDS PAGE, in-vivo, Drosophila melanogaster. International Journal of Medical and Clinical Research ISSN:0976-5530 & E-ISSN:0976-5549, Volume 3, Issue 6, 2012 Introduction The extensive knowledge of the genetics of D. melanogaster and the long term experimental experience with this organism together with extensive genetic homology to mammals has made it uniquely useful in mutation research and genetic toxicology. Many Drosophila genes are homologous to human genes and are studied to gain a better understanding of what role these proteins have in human beings. Apart from being one of the genetically best characterized multicellular eukaryotes, many hundreds of thousands of offspring can be generated in a relatively short period of time (2 weeks at 25°C), easy to maintain and the complete spectrum of somatic and heritable alterations can be detected under the microscope with low power magnification. The examination of the mutants can be done in large numbers and significant data can be collected to demonstrate consistence [1]. Genotoxicity describes a deleterious action on a cell’s genetic material affecting its integrity. Genotoxic substances are known to be potentially mutagenic or carcinogenic, specifically those capable of causing genetic mutation and of contributing to the development of tumors. These genotoxic substances include a variety of Citation: Deepa P.V., et al. (2012) Genotoxicity of Benzaldehyde in Drosophila melanogaster using the Wing Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) and Protein Profiling. International Journal of Medical and Clinical Research, ISSN:0976-5530 & E-ISSN:0976-5549, Volume 3, Issue 6, pp.-195-198. Copyright: Copyright©2012 Deepa P.V., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.