CYTOTOXIC EFFECT OF ORANGE AND APPLE FLAVORED SOFT DRINKS

The experiment was conducted at the Department of Biological Science laboratory Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria. The aim of this research is to evaluate the cytotoxicity of apple and orange flavoured soft drinks using Allium cepa root tip assay.The loose outer scales of bulbs and old roots were removed with the help of sharp and pointed forceps so as to expose root primordial cells. Onion bulbs of average size (15-22mm in diameter) were placed in distilled water to multiply primordial root cells. Root growth was observed till reached 1.5-2cm in length, and then the bulbs placed in a series of concentrations of soft drinks. The various concentrations used are 25, 50, 75, and 100% for 12hrs, 24hrs, and 24hrs durations. Root tip measurements were taken every 24 hours for the two days (48 hours) Also, test liquid (soft drink) were changed after each measurement. After 48 hours, some root tips were removed from each treatment group and fixed immediately in 1; 3 Acetic-Ethanol for 24 hours and examined under the microscope each root tip / treatment group was macerated in drops of 1N HCL for hydrolysis for 5minutes. It was then stained with 2% Aceto carmine stain at room temperature for 15minutes and the cells squashed gently and spread evenly five random fields per slide were observed under the microscope in order to record mitotic cells and aberrations. Photomicrographs of slides under the X40 objective lens or X100 objective during the course of this six different types of chromosomal aberrations were respectively recorded: binucleated cells, fragmentations, bridges, lagging disintegration of chromosome materials and reduction in size of chromosome. Since these are indication of cytoxicity and are linked together with the results from the findings of this study, a critical dangerous situation is facing the consumers of Orange and apple flavored soft drinks worldwide.