Biotemas (Mar 2014)
Action of the juice from the fruit of Morinda citrifolia L. on cells of the plant test system
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the action of noni juice on the meristematic cells of Allium cepa roots, at two concentrations, 0.18 and 0.36 mg/mL, with the exposure times of 24 and 48 h. For each concentration, we used a group of 5 onion bulbs, which were first embedded in distilled water and, then, transferred to their respective concentrations. The radicles were collected and fixed in acetic acid (3:1) for 24 hours. The root tips were collected and fixed in acetic acid (3:1) for 24 h. The slides were prepared through the crushing technique, and stained with 2% acetic orcein. Cells were analyzed throughout the cell cycle, totaling 5,000 for each control and exposure time. The mitotic indices calculated underwent chi-square (p < 0.5) statistical analysis. We found out that both concentrations, including the lowest, regarded as ideal for consumption, significantly increased the mitotic index of meristematic cells of onion roots. Therefore, under the analyzed conditions, both tested concentrations of noni juice have promoted change in the cell division of this plant test system.
