Low-dose toxicity of biogenic silver nanoparticles fabricated by Swertia chirata on root tips and flower buds of Allium cepa.

Chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles (chem-AgNPs) have been assessed extensively to show adverse effects on plant cells but the role of biologically synthesized nanoparticles (bio-AgNPs) at lower concentrations and their toxicological impact on plant cells have not been sufficiently studied. In this study, bio-AgNPs were prepared using aqueous leaf extracts of Swertia chirata. This AgNPs showed absorption peak at 440nm of the visible spectrum. TEM analysis revealed that the average size of AgNPs were 20nm and mainly spherical in shape. AFM topographic images depicted the three dimensional aspects of AgNPs. XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline nature. FTIR spectrum of the AgNPs revealed the possible biomolecules involved in bioreduction and efficient stabilization of the particles. Low-dose of bio-AgNPs concentrations (5, 10 and 20μgml-1) were used for toxicity studies on Allium cepa. The studies revealed that various chromosomal aberrations were induced in both mitotic and meiotic cells of Allium cepa even at lower concentrations of bio-AgNPs. Abnormalities in post meiotic products were also observed. Both mitotic and meiotic indexes decreased with increasing concentrations of bio-AgNPs in the treated cells. These findings implied that low dose bio-AgNPs can induce significant clastogenic effects on both meristematic and reproductive plant cells.