Comparative Study on Genotoxicity of Nano-Zinc Oxide and Bulk-Zinc Oxide Based on Micronucleus Test Technique of V. faba. Root Tip Cells

Objectives: This paper focuses on comparing the micronucleus effect and evaluating genotoxicity of nano-zinc oxide and bulk-zinc oxide based on V. faba. root tip cells. Methods: The different concentration of nano-ZnO and bulk-ZnO suspensions are used as mutagens, meanwhile, the paper calculates the micronucleus permillage of V. faba. root tip cells exposed by different treatment liquid. Results: 1. Both nano-ZnO and bulk-ZnO suspensions can induce higher micronucleus permillage. The micronucleus permillage induced by different concentration of nano-ZnO and bulk-ZnO are all higher than the negative control group. The significance comparison of micronucleus permillage between bulk-ZnO and negative control group is significant (p < 0.05) and the significance comparison between nano-ZnO and negative control group is extremely significant (p < 0.01), both of difference comparison have statistical significance. 2. The micronucleus permillage which is induced by nano-ZnO is higher than bulk-ZnO on the equal concentration. The significance comparison of them is extremely significant (p < 0.01), the comparison has statistical significance. The genotoxicity to V. faba. root tip cells of nano-ZnO is higher than bulk-ZnO. 3. It has stronger operability and scientificalness that we use the optimized micronucleus test technique of V. faba. root tip cells to evaluate genotoxicity of manufactured nanomaterials.