The effect of benzene and its Chlorella vulgaris metabolites on the growth of tobacco tissue

Abstract

The influence of benzene, phenol and catechol on the tobacco callus tissue (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. Wisconsin No. 38) cultivated in vitro was studied. Although inhibition of callus tissue growth in relation to the control was observed in all variants, the benzene-induced inhibition was the most significant. When catechol and phenol were added to the cultivation medium together, callus tissue growth was similar to that of the control. The addition of catechol to the medium containing phenol presumably reduces the toxic effect of phenol on the callus tissue examined. Callus tissue growing in the presence of phenol, benzene and cathechol became senescent more rapidly than in the control. Moreover microscopic examination revealed significant changes in the callus structure.

Keywords

• tissue culture
• Nicotiana tabacum
• benzene
• phenol
• catechol