Mutagenicity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by pesticide industry wastewater using bacterial and plant bioassays

Abstract Atomic absorption spectrophotometer and gas chromatography analysis revealed the presence of heavy metals, organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides in industrial wastewater. XAD, Dichloromethane and n-Hexane extracted wastewater were analysed for genotoxic potential using Ames Salmonella/mammalian microsome test. The XAD concentrated sample displayed remarkable mutagenic activity compared to solvent assisted liquid–liquid extraction. Strain TA98 was found utmost sensitive towards all extracts. Wastewater induced chromosomal aberrations in roots of Allium cepa showed significant (p