Genotoxic effects and induction of phytochelatins in the presence of cadmium in Vicia faba roots

This study investigates different effects in roots of Vicia faba (broad bean) after exposure to cadmium. Genotoxic effects were assessed by use of the well-known Vicia root tip micronucleus assay. Cytotoxic effects were evaluated by determining the mitotic index in root tip cells. Finally, molecular induction mechanisms were evaluated by measuring phytochelatins with HPLC. After hydroponical exposure of V. faba roots to a range of cadmium concentrations and during different exposure times, the results of this approach showed large variations, according to the endpoint measured: after 48 h of exposure, genotoxic effects were found between 7.5 × 10−8 and 5 × 10−7 M CdCl2, and cytotoxic effects were observed between 2.5 × 10−7 and 5 × 10−7 M CdCl2. Statistically significant phytochelatin (PC) concentrations were measured at ≥10−6 M CdCl2 for PC2, and at ≥10−5 M CdCl2 for PC3 and PC4.