Mutagenesis rate in traditional vegetable cultivation obtained using the TRAD-MCN methodology Bruna Caroline Ferreira Santana, Luciana Bizeto, Claudia de Moura, Ana Beatriz Carollo Rocha-Lima

Abstract

This bioassay evaluated the genotoxicity in traditionally vegetables (with pesticides) and organic vegetables through the Trad-MCN method, comparing the results of four experimental groups between them and with the positive, negative and blank controls. No statistically significant differences were identified between the samples of traditionally and organic vegetables; however, statistically significant differences were found between the samples with pesticides in relation to white and negative controls (p <0.05), demonstrating that traditionally grown vegetables had a higher rate of mutagenesis than innocuous controls. Therefore, the present bioassay makes use of a widespread technique in environmental toxicity analysis to demonstrate the ability of pesticides have to interact with biological systems, which can be demonstrated even in easy-to-execute experiments. The present bioassay also highlights the importance of monitoring and awareness of the overuse of pesticides and proposes a reflection on the harmful effects caused by pesticides.