Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of imazali̇l on allium cepa l. root meri̇stem cells

Imazalil is a fungicide containing imidazole group and is widely used against eggplants, tomatoes, peppers and citrus fruits. In this study, Allium main-telophase and Komet tests were investigated in order to determine the effect levels of Imazalil on Allium cepa roots, mitotic index (MI), chromosomal anomaly (CA) and DNA damage. With the Allium root growth inhibition test, the concentration (EC50) which reduced the growth of the root tips of Imazalil by 50% compared to the negative control group was found to be 1 µg/mL. A. cepa roots were subjected to three different concentrations of imazalil (0.5, 1 and 2 µg/mL) for 24-96 hours. Distilled water and methyl methane sulfonate (MMS, 10 mg / L) were used as negative and positive control groups, respectively. Imazalil showed cytotoxic effect by decreasing root growth and MI compared to the negative control group, while genotoxic effect was increased by increasing CA and DNA damage. Careful doses of imazalil should be administered and cyto-genotoxic effect levels should be investigated with other toxicity test methods.