Chromosomal instability and abnormal mitochondrial activity induced by two synthetic food colorants

Abstract

The artificial colorants act as a potent cytotoxic agent at the consumer level, whose analysis is inevitable. The investigation is mainly focused to analyze the toxicity of two commonly used synthetic food colorants (Brilliant blue and Fast green) with the help of Allium cepa root tip assay. The frequency of aberrations and the concentrations of both the colorants were found to be positively correlated in the chromosome studies. The integrity of the cell membranes, which is a potent parameter to detect cellular damage was detected using Evan’s blue staining. 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) method was also adopted to determine the damaging effects of the synthetic molecules on the mitochondrial oxidative properties in the root tip cells. Both food colorants showed prominent membrane damage and mitochondrial activity reduction in the test material.