DNA-DAMAGING EFFECT OF IMAZALIL, PYRIMETHANIL AND THIABENDAZOLE IN THE COMET ASSAY TEST - WITH AND WITHOUT LEMON OIL
Author(s)
Boglárka Bernadett Tisza, BSc, MSc1, Ádám MOLNÁR, BSc2, Andrea Gubicskóné Kisbenedek, BSc, MSc, PhD1, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD3, Luca JÁROMI, BSc, MSc, PhD4, Gellért Gerencsér, BSc, MSc, PhD5.
1Institute of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 2Preclinical Research Center, University of Pécs, Medical School, Pécs, Hungary, 3Institute for Health Insurance, University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 4Department of Public Health Medicine, University of Pécs, Medical School, Pécs, Hungary, 5Department of Public Health Medicine, Preclinical Research Center, University of Pécs, Medical School, Pécs, Hungary.
1Institute of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 2Preclinical Research Center, University of Pécs, Medical School, Pécs, Hungary, 3Institute for Health Insurance, University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs, Hungary, 4Department of Public Health Medicine, University of Pécs, Medical School, Pécs, Hungary, 5Department of Public Health Medicine, Preclinical Research Center, University of Pécs, Medical School, Pécs, Hungary.
OBJECTIVES: Imazalil, pyrimethanil, and thiabendazole are the most applied synthetic fungicides on citrus fruits. Based on previous studies, these pesticides can penetrate the fruit peel and pulp, which could be a direct consumer exposure from beverages and foods. Our study aimed to evaluate the potential DNA-damaging effect of fungicides in human lymphocytes.
METHODS: The comet assay is a sensitive in vitro method for assessing DNA strand breakage in any type of eukaryotic cell. The cell culture was treated with several aqueous solution concentrations of imazalil, thiabendazole, and pyrimethanil for 4 and 24 hours. To evaluate genotoxicity, we compared the tail moment values to control, which did not contain fungicides. The aim was to investigate the DNA damage of fungicides with and without lemon oil (10 μl). The data is considered significant if p<0.05.
RESULTS: Tail moment values were increased significantly after a 4-hour-long treatment of imazalil, pyrimethanil and thiabendazole (p<0.001). We also detected genotoxicity in all concentrations of the mentioned fungicides (p<0.001). Several apoptotic cells were observed at a concentration of 136 μg/plate of imazalil (p<0.001). The 24-hour treatment resulted genotoxicity in every sample (p<0.05), except the lowest concentrations of thiabendazole. Adding lemon oil, only the third highest concentrations of imazalil, thiabendazole and pyrimethanil showed genotoxic effects (p<0.05) during the 4-hour treatment. Furthermore, we detected DNA damage in the case of imazalil (p=0.02) and thiabendazole (p<0.001) after the 24-hour-long treatment with lemon oil.
CONCLUSIONS: The fungicide treatment resulted more DNA-strand breaks compared to the test with additional lemon oil. Further studies are required to understand the precise mechanisms of essential oils with fungicides. The growing trend of bio-based agricultural practices and bio-fungicides could be an alternative way to reduce synthetic pesticide utilization.
METHODS: The comet assay is a sensitive in vitro method for assessing DNA strand breakage in any type of eukaryotic cell. The cell culture was treated with several aqueous solution concentrations of imazalil, thiabendazole, and pyrimethanil for 4 and 24 hours. To evaluate genotoxicity, we compared the tail moment values to control, which did not contain fungicides. The aim was to investigate the DNA damage of fungicides with and without lemon oil (10 μl). The data is considered significant if p<0.05.
RESULTS: Tail moment values were increased significantly after a 4-hour-long treatment of imazalil, pyrimethanil and thiabendazole (p<0.001). We also detected genotoxicity in all concentrations of the mentioned fungicides (p<0.001). Several apoptotic cells were observed at a concentration of 136 μg/plate of imazalil (p<0.001). The 24-hour treatment resulted genotoxicity in every sample (p<0.05), except the lowest concentrations of thiabendazole. Adding lemon oil, only the third highest concentrations of imazalil, thiabendazole and pyrimethanil showed genotoxic effects (p<0.05) during the 4-hour treatment. Furthermore, we detected DNA damage in the case of imazalil (p=0.02) and thiabendazole (p<0.001) after the 24-hour-long treatment with lemon oil.
CONCLUSIONS: The fungicide treatment resulted more DNA-strand breaks compared to the test with additional lemon oil. Further studies are required to understand the precise mechanisms of essential oils with fungicides. The growing trend of bio-based agricultural practices and bio-fungicides could be an alternative way to reduce synthetic pesticide utilization.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
EPH109
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Biologics & Biosimilars