Studies on the utilization of a plant SCE test in detecting potential mutagenic agents

In this paper a modified procedure for sister-chromatid differentiation in plant cells is reported. Using this procedure some chemicals were tested for SCE induction in Vicia faba, Hordeum vulgare and Secale cereale. The chemicals tested were ethanol, chromium oxide, sodium saccharin, fluorouracil, ascorbic acid (vitamin c), omethoate and phenol. The experimental results showed that most of them induced SCE increases in mouse spleen cells, human lymphocytes and plant cells. The increase of SCEs per cell in plant cells is in agreement with that found in human lymphocytes or in mouse spleen cells. In our opinion, the utilization of SCE in plants is a simple and inexpensive technique for detecting potential mutagenic agents in the environment.