GENOTOXICITY OF BENZALDEHYDE IN Drosophila melanogaster USING THE WING SOMATIC MUTATION AND RECOMBINATION TEST (SMART) AND PROTEIN PROFILING

Benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO) is an organic compound which finds a range of applications in many industries. Benzyl derivatives are food additives, used for increasing the taste of food and beverages. It is therefore important to evaluate its genotoxicity and assign the threshold concentration that is permissible for inclusion in edible items. The present study investigated the genotoxic effect of benzaldehyde on Drosophila melanogaster. Two day-old adult males and 3rd instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster were exposed to varying concentrations of the chemical by allowing them to feed on media, containing benzaldehyde. The treated series were compared to the control group (media mixed with distilled water). Our results demonstrated that benzaldehyde induced genotoxic and mutagenic effects. Benzaldehyde caused increased incidence of mutated phenotypes including orange discoloration of thorax and abdomen that was carried over to the F1 generation. The flies lost their viability at higher concentrations of the drug. To assess the phenotypic mutations at the molecular level, protein profiles of the extracts obtained from 3rd instar larvae from control and drug exposed were compared by SDS PAGE. The protein profiling results demonstrated changes in several major proteins. The Wing Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test (SMART) was used to assess the degree of genotoxicity, by evaluating mitotic recombination and mutations. Trans-heterozygous larvae obtained from the crossing of multiple wing hair and flare(mwh/flr3) were subjected to various concentrations of benzaldehyde. Wing analysis showed single spots that represent mutated flr3 clone and twin spots for mutated mwh clone