Biomaterial Database

Cytogenetic effects of the food preservatives--sodium benzoate and sodium sulphite on Vicia faba root meristems. 1982

G D Njagi, and H N Gopalan

Sodium sulphite and sodium benzoate induce in Vicia faba root meristems: (1) dose-dependent reduction in mitotic figures, (2) intact and severed anaphase bridges, (3) premature chromosome condensation heading to pycnotic nuclei, and (4) chromatin erosion in interphase nuclei. The effects are due to the anions and not due to the sodium ions. Complete recovery of mitotic figures and normal chromosome configurations were observed within the first 23-46 h of regrowth. Recovery was accompanied by severed anaphase bridges and micronuclei of various shapes. Both benzoate and sulphite inhibit DNA synthesis in Vicia faba root meristems. Sulphite was more effective than benzoate.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007887	Fabaceae	The large family of plants characterized by pods. Some are edible and some cause LATHYRISM or FAVISM and other forms of poisoning. Other species yield useful materials like gums from ACACIA and various LECTINS like PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININS from PHASEOLUS. Many of them harbor NITROGEN FIXATION bacteria on their roots. Many but not all species of "beans" belong to this family.	Afzelia,Amorpha,Andira,Baptisia,Callerya,Ceratonia,Clathrotropis,Colophospermum,Copaifera,Delonix,Euchresta,Guibourtia,Legumes,Machaerium,Pithecolobium,Stryphnodendron,Leguminosae,Pea Family,Pithecellobium,Tachigalia,Families, Pea,Family, Pea,Legume,Pea Families
D009152	Mutagenicity Tests	Tests of chemical substances and physical agents for mutagenic potential. They include microbial, insect, mammalian cell, and whole animal tests.	Genetic Toxicity Tests,Genotoxicity Tests,Mutagen Screening,Tests, Genetic Toxicity,Toxicity Tests, Genetic,Genetic Toxicity Test,Genotoxicity Test,Mutagen Screenings,Mutagenicity Test,Screening, Mutagen,Screenings, Mutagen,Test, Genotoxicity,Tests, Genotoxicity,Toxicity Test, Genetic
D009153	Mutagens	Chemical agents that increase the rate of genetic mutation by interfering with the function of nucleic acids. A clastogen is a specific mutagen that causes breaks in chromosomes.	Clastogen,Clastogens,Genotoxin,Genotoxins,Mutagen
D010946	Plants, Medicinal	Plants whose roots, leaves, seeds, bark, or other constituent parts possess therapeutic, tonic, purgative, curative or other pharmacologic attributes, when administered to man or animals.	Herbs, Medicinal,Medicinal Herbs,Healing Plants,Medicinal Plants,Pharmaceutical Plants,Healing Plant,Herb, Medicinal,Medicinal Herb,Medicinal Plant,Pharmaceutical Plant,Plant, Healing,Plant, Medicinal,Plant, Pharmaceutical,Plants, Healing,Plants, Pharmaceutical
D005520	Food Preservatives	Substances capable of inhibiting, retarding or arresting the process of fermentation, acidification or other deterioration of foods.	Preservatives, Food
D001565	Benzoates	Derivatives of BENZOIC ACID. Included under this heading are a broad variety of acid forms, salts, esters, and amides that contain the carboxybenzene structure.	Benzoate,Benzoic Acids,Acids, Benzoic
D013447	Sulfites	Inorganic salts of sulfurous acid.	Sulfite,Sulfites, Inorganic,Inorganic Sulfites
D019817	Benzoic Acid	A fungistatic compound that is widely used as a food preservative. It is conjugated to GLYCINE in the liver and excreted as hippuric acid.	Potassium Benzoate,Ucephan,Acid, Benzoic,Benzoate, Potassium