ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Effect of Cadmium on DNA Changes
in Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.
Tawatchai Tanee1,2, Runglawan Sudmoon2,3,
Penkhae Thamsenanupap1, Arunrat Chaveerach2,3
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1Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahasarakham University,
Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
2Genetics and Environmental Toxicology (GET) Research Group, Khon Kaen University,
Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
3Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University,
Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
Submission date: 2015-09-13
Final revision date: 2015-11-10
Acceptance date: 2015-11-24
Publication date: 2016-01-25
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2016;25(1):311-315
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ABSTRACT
Cadmium (Cd) contamination in plants fertilized with inorganic fertilizers is a major risk to human
health. Ipomoea aquatica Forssk., which is one of the most popular vegetables used in Thai cuisine, is also
vulnerable to Cd contamination. This study aimed to investigate Cd accumulation in Ipomoea aquatica Forssk.
and the associated changes in its DNA. The plant was grown in soil supplemented with Cd at 0, 15, 30,
60, and 120 mg/kg. After 21 days, accumulation in the roots, stems, and leaves was analyzed using atomic
absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), and the bioconcentration (BCF) and translocation factors (TF) were
analyzed. DNA changes were assessed by a combination of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)
and genomic template stability (GTS) tests. Cd concentrations in the roots, stems, and leaves ranged from
0 to 12,333 mg/kg, 0 to 5,909.27 mg/kg, and 0 to 1,653.26 mg/kg, respectively. The BCF and TF values
ranged from 0 to 21.15 and 0 to 1.21, respectively. From the RAPD profiles, the GTS values ranged from
52.3 to 91.1%. Taken together, these results indicate that I. aquatica is a Cd-hyperaccumulator; therefore,
consuming I. aquatica plants grown in Cd-polluted areas is a health risk.