LAUSR

Abstract The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the genotoxic effect of zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) synthesized by leaf extract of Albizia saman on mitotic chromosomes of root tip meristematic cells of Drimia indica. Biogenic ZnNPs were characterized by using UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and high resolution electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analyses. Root tips of D. indica were exposed to different concentrations of ZnNP suspension, namely 4, 8, 12 and 16 μg ml–1, for 24 h at intervals of 6, 12, 18 and 24 h. The meristematic cells were analyzed for mitotic index and chromosomal aberrations such as chromosomal bridges, sticky chromosomes, multibridge anaphase, laggards, diagonal anaphase, lagging chromosomes, and c-metaphase as well as for the induction of micronuclei. It is evident from the data that the mitotic index is inversely proportional and chromosomal aberrations are directly proportional to the concentration and duration of exposure to ZnNPs. The data were found to be significant at p˂0.05. It is concluded that biogenic ZnNPs induce chromosomal abnormality in root tip meristematic cells of D. indica.