Sorption technique as a tool for reduction of genotoxicity

In the present study, the Allium cepa root chromosomal aberration assay was used to determine the genotoxic effects of copper and cadmium ions solutions before and after sorption processes. The sorption process was carried out using unmodified Dendrocalamus strictus charcoal powder, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)-modified D. strictus charcoal powder, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The frequency of total chromosomal aberrations was observed to be 24.30–45.13% for copper and 13.16–45.14% for cadmium at different concentrations (1–500 mg/l) before the sorption process. Both metal ions solutions resulted in significant reduction of chromosomal aberrations after all the modes of the sorption processes. However, the order of reduction of percentage chromosomal aberrations for copper and cadmium solutions was found to be 45.29–70.04% and 47.80–84.57%, respectively (NTA-modified D. strictus charcoal powder); >44.53–54.32% and 37.10–79.40%, respectively (unmodified D. strictus charcoal powder); >15.59–48.51% and 13.63–21.50%, respectively (S. cerevisiae).