Evaluation of the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of L-canavanine, a non-protein amino acid, utilizing the <i>Allium cepa</i> L. root model

Using the Allium test, the various toxicities caused by three distinct dosages (10, 50, and 100 mM) of the hazardous non-protein amino acid L-canavanine (L-CAN) were examined in this work. Indicators of toxicity included cytogenetic [micronucleus (MN) frequency, chromosomal abnormalities (Cas), mitotic index (MI)], physiological [germination percentage (GP), root number (RN), root length (RL), and fresh weight (FW)], biochemical [free proline (PR) level, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, catalase (CAT) activity, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity], and anatomical parameters. Four sets of Allium cepa L. bulbs were created: one for control (C) and three for treatments. For 7 days, the bulbs in the treatment groups were germinated with three different doses of L-CAN, whereas the bulbs in the C group were germinated with tap water. Consequently, at all three levels, exposure to L-CAN resulted in a reduction in every physiological parameter measured. In addition, every L-CAN dosage resulted in a rise in the frequency of MN and CAs together with a decrease in MI. L-CAN produced CAs such as notched nuclei, micronuclei accumulation, bilobulated and trilobulated nuclei with bud, C-metaphase, chromosomal stickiness, vagrant chromosome, and chromatid bridge in the root meristem cells. Through the induction of oxidative stress in the cells, L-CAN also produced toxicity. L-CAN exposure resulted in dose-related increases in the levels of free PR, MDA, CAT, and SOD in the root. L-CAN exposure induced anatomical harms such as deformations of the epidermal cells, development of micronucleus, accumulation of certain chemical substances, abnormal position of the epidermal cell nucleus, giant cell nucleus, and vacuole formation in the nucleus of the root tip meristem cells. Due to its inhibitory impact on Allium cepa L. test material, L-CAN induced comprehensive toxicity; the Allium test proved to be a valuable tool in identifying this toxicity.