Cytological effects of Argemone oil on the mitotic cells ofAllium cepa

The cytological effects of Argemone oil, which is one of the adulterants of edible oils, on the mitotic cells ofAllium cepa, have been investigated in detail following a treatment for one hour at different concentrations and also after recovery for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Large number of cells have been scored and aberrations such as chromosome erosions, breakages, fragmentations, gaps, ana- and telo-phase bridges, stickiness and groupings have been analysed. Among the two types of Argemone oil employed, the screw-pressed oil was more effective in inducing these changes than the solvent-extracted one. The recovery from the effects of treatment caused by the former was extremely slow compared to that of the latter. The implications of these results and the possible mutagenic action of the oil have been discussed. Representative photomicrographs are presented.