Genotoxic effect of iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles on Triticum aestivum (wheat)

Abstract Industrial activities and unconscious consumption of natural resources cause environmental pollution with the rapid increase in the world population. As a result of the widespread use of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 2 O 3 NP) with nano‐industrial activities, it is predicted that this NP will accumulate in the air, water, and soil. In the present study, the purpose was to find out the genotoxic effects on root meristem cells of the Triticum aestivum L. plant, which is an indicator organism exposed to 20–40 nm Fe 2 O 3 NPs at different concentrations (100, 200, and 400 ppm). The amount of Fe 2 O 3 NP accumulated in T. aestivum used in the study was determined with x‐ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), SEM element map, and EDS characteristic spectrum. All concentrations of Fe 2 O 3 NP caused significant decreases in the mitotic index. Fe 2 O 3 NPs significantly increased the frequency of mitotic abnormalities in T. aestivum root tip cells at all treatment times and all concentrations when compared to the control. Fe 2 O 3 NPs were formed by various mitotic abnormalities such as loss of genetic material, deconstructed prophase, adhesion, chromosome groupings in metaphase, deconstructed metaphase, C‐Metaphase, chromosomal loss, chromosomal fracture, polyploidy, deconstructed anaphase, lagging chromosome, fragment, polar deviation, bridging, propagation, asynchronous division, star anaphase, multipolarity, and deconstructed telophase. All these results show that Fe 2 O 3 NPs are genotoxic and clastogenic and may also cause DNA damage. Briefly, these data show that Fe 2 O 3 NPs taken by organisms may pose a danger to the organism and the upper consumer. These findings also show that the production and use of Fe 2 O 3 NPs, which affect organisms, must be controlled, and ultimately, be safely disposed of to reduce their bioaccumulation. Research Highlights In the present study, the purpose was to find out the genotoxic effects on root meristem cells of the Triticum aestivum L. (bread wheat) plant, which is an indicator organism exposed to 20–40 nm Fe 2 O 3 NPs at different concentrations (100, 200, and 400 ppm). The amount of Fe 2 O 3 NP accumulated in T. aestivum used in the study was determined with x‐ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), SEM element map, and EDS characteristic spectrum. The mitotic index was calculated to reveal the genotoxic effect. “Loss of genetic material, deconstructed prophase, adhesion, chromosome groupings in metaphase, deconstructed metaphase, C‐Metaphase, chromosomal loss, chromosomal fracture, polyploidy, deconstructed anaphase, lagging chromosome, fragment, polar deviation, bridging, propagation, asynchronous division, star Chromosomal abnormalities such as anaphase, multipolarity, and deconstructed telophase” were visualized. Fe 2 O 3 NPs are genotoxic and clastogenic and may also cause DNA damage.